Graham Mertz evaluates DJ Lagway's ability as freshman gets set to take over

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz is done for the season, suffering a knee injury that has ended his 2024 campaign and thrust freshman DJ Lagway even further into the spotlight.

And the veteran believes he’s seen enough of the newcomer to know that the Gators are in good hands.

“Man, he does a fantastic job,” Mertz said Thursday in an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show. “I’ve said it before, but just his overall humility since he got here and the consistency of wanting to get better is the biggest thing that stands out. I think that he’s done a great job this season of just his preparation.”

DJ Lagway’s reputation precedes him.

He was the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the 2024 cycle, the No. 3 overall player in the nation. Florida hasn’t had a recruit as hyped as Lagway since Tim Tebow, and that one turned out pretty well for the Gators.

To Mertz’s eye, DJ Lagway is already mature beyond his years. The two have had occasion to chat about various things this season, and Lagway is a sponge for knowledge.

“He’s my roommate in the hotel before games, so we kind of have our one-on-one time to talk through, whether it’s scheme, it’s how to take care of your body, it’s all the extra stuff that comes with being an SEC quarterback,” Mertz said. “But he has done a fantastic job and I know he’s prepared, he’s ready for this opportunity and he’s going to make the most of it.”

So far this season, DJ Lagway has gone 47-of-72 passing for 765 yards and five touchdowns, albeit against four interceptions. He’s also rushed for 50 yards.

But in his lone start of the season — with Mertz out — Lagway finished 18-of-25 passing for 456 yards and three touchdowns. It was against Samford, sure, but he showed the poise to be able to operate in the pocket excellently.

He’ll have a tougher task this weekend against a staunch Kentucky defense.

“He’s going to do a fantastic job, man,” Mertz said. “He’s done a great job ever since he got here of just getting a little bit better every day. That’s what you need to have in football, that’s what you need to have in life. So he’s going to be successful in life just having that approach.”