DJ Lagway injury update: Billy Napier reveals timeline for Florida QB to start throwing

Florida coach Billy Napier had some good news regarding quarterback DJ Lagway. The QB did not throw all spring as he recovers from shoulder and lower body injuries, but that will soon change.

According to Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel, Napier revealed Saturday after the Gators’ Orange & Blue Game that he expects Lagway to begin throwing in “a couple of weeks.” The coach also said Lagway will be 100% healthy when OTAs begin in the summer.

Lagway took over as the team’s starter halfway through his true freshman season in 2024 after Graham Mertz went down with injury. He led Florida to a 6-1 record in seven starts and finished the year with 1,912 yards passing, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Although Lagway has not been able to throw this spring, he hasn’t been absent from the team’s practices. He even participated in a scrimmage a week ago in an unconventional way.

“He actually played quite a few plays today,” Napier said after that scrimmage. “Yeah, so, he was able to participate in the scrimmage. So he’s just been modified in terms of his ability to throw the ball. Obviously, it’s really more of a holistic approach in terms of what we’re doing with him. But, in general, he’s doing great.

“Today, he played every play from behind. He stood back there with me. Got the play call. We’ve been having him call some plays in seven-on-seven drills just to kind of reiterate that communication. So, yeah, I think we’ve given him some leadership assignments. We’re doing a ton of walkthrough rooms in the Gator Room and the Heavener Center.”

Lagway closed out the 2024 season by leading the Gators to a dominant 33-8 win against Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl. He threw for 305 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions, becoming the first player in Gasparilla Bowl history to surpass 300 yards passing.

Lagway was a five-star prospect from Willis (TX) High School in 2024. He ranked as the No. 3 overall player and No. 1 quarterback in the cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He certainly showed why down the stretch of this past season and has Florida fans excited about what the future holds with him as the full-time starter. With spring practice now coming to an end, he’ll have the chance to rest up and ensure that he is fully ready to go once the season rolls around.