Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway’s calf damage is likely one of the final issues head coach Billy Napier wants heading into an important fourth season in Gainesville.
On Tuesday, Napier divulged that Lagway, in line to take over because the workforce’s full-time beginning quarterback, has a strained calf, and it is unclear when he’ll be wholesome sufficient to return to motion.
Final season, Lagway, a five-star prospect and the No. 3 nationwide recruit within the 2024 class, appeared in 12 of 13 video games as a freshman with seven begins.
He guided Florida to dwelling wins over LSU and Ole Miss, knocking each firmly out of the Faculty Soccer Playoff dialog, and pushed Georgia for 4 quarters, with the Gators tying the sport (an eventual 34-20 loss) at 20 halfway via the fourth.
When discussing Lagway’s newest damage — the Related Press additionally famous a shoulder damage saved him out of spring practices — Napier was blunt, telling reporters, “It is not preferrred.”
“He is in 12 months 2. I believe he understands what’s required to be prepared. It is not preferrred, however I believe finally we’ll give you the very best plan we will to have him prepared,” Napier added.
“However he is nonetheless a really younger participant and wishes these reps for his growth,” he continued.
Lagway accomplished 59.9% of his move makes an attempt final season, throwing for 1,915 yards (10 yards per try), 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Florida begins its 2025 season with what must be a straightforward win no matter who’s quarterback when it hosts FCS Lengthy Island College in Week 1.
However the Gators’ schedule shortly ramps up from there. They play South Florida, which has the third-best odds to win the American Convention this season, in accordance with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index. Florida’s following two video games are on the highway towards LSU and Miami.
Florida had constructed up loads of optimistic momentum by profitable its last 4 video games final season, its third underneath Napier, who’s 19-19 general with this system.
Regardless of his mediocre document, athletic director Scott Stricklin backed Napier in a press release final November. Florida initially employed Napier in December 2021 to a seven-year deal price $51.8M that runs via the 2028 season.
Napier might use a robust season to maintain critics from grabbing their pitchforks, however Lagway’s damage might maintain that from taking place.
