Billy Napier discusses possibly playing both Graham Mertz, DJ Lagway

Entering what many suspect to be a make-or-break year for Florida head coach Billy Napier, the Gators head man at least seems content with what his program has under center, both at starter and backup.

Florida returns Graham Mertz as the starter in 2024, one of the most experienced quarterbacks in all of college football. But they also added heralded freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, who brings far more rushing upside than Mertz.

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Speaking on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday, Napier expressed his pleasure in having diversified skillsets at the quarterback position, but didn’t indicate that they were rushing to find ways to put Lagway into action.

“So it’s also been exciting for our offensive staff because they’re a little bit different type of players,” Napier said. “So scripting is unique and a lot of fun because you’ve kind of got a guy who’s a veteran player who has a thorough understanding of the system that maybe isn’t the same type of athlete. But, you’ve got this young up and comer who’s very athletic that maybe doesn’t have quite the experience.”

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Though the Florida staff isn’t in a particular hurry for Lagway to see the field before he’s ready, especially with the confidence the staff has in Mertz, they do seem keen on making the most of his presence.

They’re using this time to build an offense that’s suitable for both quarterbacks. That task is especially important when considering that Lagway will start the season as the backup.

“So, it’s been an awesome challenge to build the offense around two different types of players,” Napier said. “And look, DJ Lagway’s one play away from running out there and having to play for the Gators. So we prepare that way all the time and I do think the things that we’re able to do with DJ will make us more difficult to defend.”

But for now, though, the Gators are firmly behind Mertz to lead them out of the tunnel and to victory in Week 1 over Miami.

“We have one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country on our team in Graham Mertz,” Napier said. “You start with that. He’s a leader of our team. It’s been his team from Day 1 of the offseason and he’s been fantastic. Just his example. He earned his stripes last year. I think he really earned the trust and established credibility of his teammates and also the staff, the entire organization. The way he engages people, his example, he models the behavior we want from every player. And we have a really young, talented player who’s inexperienced, who’s been able to observe Graham and the way he’s done it and that’s been very beneficial.”