Billy Napier on Florida backup QB competition: 'We'll see'

Florida officially made the call to go with DJ Lagway as its starting quarterback entering the 2025 season. That comes as no surprise to just about anyone.

But perhaps the more interesting question is who emerges behind Lagway, given his injury history so far. Lagway missed one start last year due to a hamstring injury, while he nursed a shoulder injury during spring ball and a calf injury during fall camp.

Whoever is behind him faces the very real possibility of getting meaningful playing time this fall. However, Florida hasn’t yet named a backup.

“We’ll see, you know? We’ll see,” coach Billy Napier said Monday. “I think big week coming up and we’re not ready to make any declarations there publicly. More to see.”

Florida has struggled to consistently find a capable backup in the Napier era, for a variety of reasons. Lagway, of course, was a terrific one last year and was called on when starter Graham Mertz was injured.

This year, the job appears to be a three-way battle between transfer Harrison Bailey, Aidan Warner (who started in place of the injured Lagway last season) and true freshman Tramell Jones. Warner did not fare well in his lone start last season.

Lagway suffered an injured hamstring midway through a game against Georgia. Warner would enter and fill in for the rest of that game and the Texas game the following week. He went 19-of-47 passing for 198 yards. He did not throw a touchdown pass and threw three interceptions.

Can Warner improve his play enough to serve as a capable backup for Florida? Or will one of the others emerge to take the job? That remains to be seen as the season opener fast approaches.

Will Florida alter approach with DJ Lagway?

The lack of a clear backup could also force Florida to adjust its plans with Lagway, who is a capable dual-threat prospect but didn’t do much running a year ago due to the backup situation. It could be more of the same this fall, though the Gators are hoping not.

Lagway has been severely limited throughout the offseason due to multiple injuries. In the spring, he wasn’t able to throw due to a shoulder and lower-body injury. Now, in fall camp, he’s been limited with a calf issue that had him in a boot at one point. In many respects, it would then make some sense to try and find a way to ease Lagway into the regular season.

For his part, Napier is happy with how Lagway has progressed, but he does know the Gators need to be careful with him. At the same time, Napier isn’t interested in giving away how that could change the gameplan for Week 1 just yet.

“I think I probably wouldn’t say those things publicly, you know,” Napier said. “Obviously, you’re thinking the right way. There’s some gamesmanship to that part. But in general, I don’t know we’re going to disclose our gameplan, but I do think it is what it is at this point.”

On3’s Dan Morrison also contributed to this report.