DJ Lagway injury update: Billy Napier shares latest status of Florida QB in spring practices

The limitations this spring for Florida QB DJ Lagway have been worth noting coming into the period. However, Lagway is doing just fine in his modified action down in Gainesville.

Billy Napier shared the latest on Lagway’s status during his press conference on Tuesday. He said he has been participating, including in their scrimmage that day, with them more so focusing on his processing and leadership while being limited to the extent that he is with matters involving his shoulder and lower body.

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

Napier shared the injury issue for Lagway back at the beginning of March ahead of spring practice. He mentioned matters with his shoulder and his lower body as the team, after discussing it with experts, just wanted “to be very smart” about it per Napier.

The Gators obviously want to be smart about it considering the importance of Lagway this fall. He completed 59.9% of his throws for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions as a true freshman this season for Florida after being a Five-Star+ signee as the top quarterback recruit in his class. That includes 1,150 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions on 53.1% completion after becoming their starting quarterback following the injury to Graham Mertz.

Florida is just over a week out from the Orange & Blue Game down in The Swamp. The Gators, though, are where they want to be as far as their young star quarterback goes with Lagway.

“So, overall, um, he continues to get a little bit better each day,” Napier said.