Bill Napier provides update on Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway
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![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]](https://media.zenfs.com/en/big_gold_nation_960/39469205a8c09b894aff5c97dce2dd80)
Will Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, who has battled injury this preseason, play in UF’s season opener Saturday against Long Island at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium? That’s the million-dollar question, and one that Florida coach Billy Napier answered Monday during his game-week press conference.
“DJ is the starting quarterback,” Napier said. “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 of 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’ 11v11 scrimmages this month, the second of which was Aug. 16.
Meanwhile, three quarterbacks have battled for the second-string spot: grad transfer Harrison Bailey, redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner and true freshman Tramell Jones Jr.
DJ Lagway did not throw in spring practice
Lagway, a sophomore who went 6-1 as a starter in 2024 for UF, 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.
