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Billy Napier provides major update on Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr08/25/25On3Keith
DJ-Lagway-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during fall football practice at Sanders Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, August 14, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

The million-dollar question this offseason has been whether Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, who has battled injury, would play in UF’s season opener Saturday against Long Island at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida coach Billy Napier answered that Monday.

“DJ is the starting quarterback,” Napier said during his game-week press conference. “DJ has been a 100-percent participant here for several days. I think he gets better every day. He’s having a lot of fun playing football and competing. Think he’s smiling a lot more often now.”

Lagway on [Aug. 18] participated in 11v11 drills for the first time in preseason practice after sustaining a calf injury in July. He did not take part in either of the Gators’ two 11v11 scrimmages this month, the second of which was Aug. 16.

Additionally, Lagway did not attempt any passes in spring practice due to a shoulder and a lower body injury. He resumed throwing this offseason, but missed the first two days of training camp and was limited with the calf injury for a few weeks.

As a true freshman last season, Lagway threw for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, starting seven games after veteran Graham Mertz went down with a torn ACL. The Gators went 6–1 with Lagway starting, closing on a four-game win streak — all while he played through a hamstring injury.

Lagway’s health has been the biggest question for UF this offseason. Even so, he has received a large amount of preseason recognition. The Coaches Preseason All-SEC Teams had him as a third-team selection. Additionally, Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan named Lagweay one of the best QBs nationally when he ranked every college football starting quarterback for the 2025 season.

DJ Lagway did not throw in spring practice 

Meanwhile, Lagway’s arm, the greater concern earlier this year and all the way up until he sustained the calf injury, is doing fine, Gators Online was told last week.

“The arm is great,” a source said. “I would say close to (100 percent). Certainly not far. Not far at all. His arm is actually great. I’m not going to say a percentage, but I would say it’s certainly close to being better than before. We told everyone all along we have a plan. We’ve been sticking to that plan.”

With Lagway’s status uncertain in recent weeks, three quarterbacks have battled for the second-string spot: grad transfer Harrison Bailey, redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner and true freshman Tramell Jones Jr. Napier said Monday it’s still unclear who will be QB2.

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