Derek Lagway - Unashamed

One of the top quarterback recruits in the 2024 class, Willis High School star Derek Lagway has been praised for his arm and athleticism throughout his football career. A baseball star, too, Derek is one of the most gifted athletes in high school sports. As he prepares for his collegiate career, having already garnered offers from the likes of Alabama, Texas A&M, Clemson, and more, he will do so with faith leading the way. Derek says he hopes his time around football is used to inspire others and be a light wherever he goes.

After starting at quarterback his sophomore year at Willis, Lagway impressed the nation as he helped lead his team to a Texas 6A D-II second-round playoff appearance. As he has grown up around sports, faith has also been ingrained in him from a young age. Derek says his mom always made sure he was in church, and it has paid dividends throughout his young career.

“As a kid, I’ve always been around the church with my mom and she used to work for the church, and I just gradually grew closer and closer to God as I went to church and went to my school.”

Now one of the top recruits in the country, Derek says faith is what keeps him grounded as he aspires to use his gifts to point others to Jesus.

On the football field, Derek says faith helps ground him regardless of the result on the scoreboard. He says every day he is just grateful for the blessings God has given him and grounded by the fact that he gets to play the game that he loves.

“Faith plays a huge role in my football career, because without God I wouldn’t be able to do anything or have these talents he’s blessed me with.”

As Derek looks towards his career both on the football and baseball field, he has high aspirations of taking advantage of every opportunity to inspire others.

Whether it is on the field, on social media, or in daily interactions with others, Derek says he wants his actions and words to reflect God and his faith. As younger kids look up to him as he is on his way to stardom, he hopes to never use it to glorify himself but instead point others to God.

“I’d say I want my impact to be able to inspire kids to never be ashamed to spread God’s word.”

Derek is already proving the impact he can have, garnering thousands of followers and using his platform as a place to constantly point others to Jesus.

As Derek continues through his junior year and prepares for wherever his collegiate career will lead him, he says he knows that it is all in God’s control. As he considers his options in college with his family and in prayer, he says he knows God will lead him to a place where he can inspire others. With a goal of doing just that, Derek will be a beacon of light wherever he winds up for years to come.