Billy Napier sets expectations for DJ Lagway ahead of matchup with Georgia

DJ Lagway is the starting quarterback for the rest of the way at Florida. That continues following their second bye week with their matchup against No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.

Billy Napier assessed where Lagway is ahead of the rivalry game during his press conference to start this week earlier today. However, he doesn’t think this one is that much different for him because of his experiences already this season, including three outings against teams who are also now currently ranked in the Top-10 of the AP Poll.

“Yeah, I mean, I think he – they’re all big, okay,” said Napier to the media on Monday. “You know, we’ve tried to build in this concept of, hey, you are one play away, you know. The urgency that you need to feel, going all the way back to January relative to today? Look, you’re preparing as if you’re going to have to do this at some point.”

“Playing him, I think, in every game has allowed, has made for a preparation that becomes real. Like, I’m going out there. He’s been able to do that each week,” Napier continued. “Yeah, so, I think that helps, you know. He played against all the – we’ve played several Top-10 teams so far this year. Obviously, last week or two weeks ago was his first SEC start.”

In appearing in all of the Gators’ games during his true freshman season, Lagway is 54-86 (62.8%) for 1,024 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions. That mostly was him checking in and out in a quarterback rotation with Graham Mertz. However, he has started two of them and, in those wins over Samford and Kentucky, Lagway is 25-39 (64.1%) for 715 yards, three scores, and a pick.

The ‘Dawgs will be his toughest competition yet, though, specifically in any of his starts, in The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. Still, Napier doesn’t doubt how ready he’ll be to go this weekend against UGA.

“Georgia, you know – we all understand what comes with that. So, hopefully the first of many for him,” said Napier.