Tim Tebow: DJ Lagway is the 'future of Florida football' amid QB controversy with Graham Mertz
Tim Tebow is a fan of DJ Lagway, but he doesn’t believe starting the young star over Graham Mertz at quarterback is the answer to Florida’s issues.
Ahead of their clash with Texas A&M on Saturday, the question of who will begin the game under center has taken over the preparation for the clash. Tebow doesn’t believe Mertz is getting his due, even if Lagway is the “future of Florida football,” as he said in his own words.
“Listen. DJ is the future of Florida football, and the future is bright with him. I’m so excited about this young man,” Tebow said, via SportsCenter. “DJ is an incredible young man, and he’s an incredible player, but the issue for Florida has not been the quarterback position, because Graham Mertz is a very good quarterback. The issue has been so many other areas around him.
“Offensive line, protection, receivers getting open, play-calling, defense being able to stop somebody. It has not been on Graham Mertz. So, while DJ is exciting and the future is right with him, Graham has also been a really good quarterback. Sometimes it’s very easy to just look and say, ‘Let’s just change our quarterback. Let’s find someone new.’ That’s the easy thing for fans and the media to say, but that doesn’t mean it’s accurate. This kid has been doing extremely well at the quarterback position.
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“Yes, DJ is incredible, but they have two good quarterbacks now. I think it’s important to really be honest about that, versus just kind of pointing the finger and blaming someone, because the blame doesn’t lay at the quarterback position in Florida right now.”
Alas, Tebow will get his wish in Week 3, as it’s been reported that Mertz will start, but it’s expected Lagway will play, as well. While Lagway may be able to do more athletically than Mertz, Tebow believes the veteran quarterback’s experience separates him, especially against a team like the Aggies.
“We have to understand, if it gets in the game, it’s second or third and long and Florida can’t run the ball? Then Mike Elko is going to be dialing up so many different pressures that DJ has never seen before. It’s not his fault,” said Tebow on Friday. “You put him in a situation where you’re second or third and long and you have this A&M defense? Like, A&M’s defense is not the reason that they lost to Notre Dame. This defense is a really good defense and Mike Elko is one of the best to do it. He will be dialing up a lot of pressures that DJ has never seen.”
“It’s not like they’re going up against a defense that has weaknesses. This defense is really good,” Tebow continued. “It’s even harder for a quarterback that hasn’t done it. So, should he play? Absolutely. Should you put him in positions to constantly get him better, gain experience and gain confidence? Yes. But it’s really hard if you’re in second or third and long and you’ve never seen the looks. Graham Mertz has seen every look.”
Regardless, Florida needs to defeat Texas A&M in Gainesville, or it could get ugly fast for the Gators. Time will tell, but Tim Tebow will be keeping a watchful eye on what goes down on Saturday between the two SEC programs.
On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this article.