DJ Lagway injury update: Billy Napier reveals Florida QB is 'feeling much better'

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway has been limited in his action through most of fall camp so far with a calf injury, but he’s working into form ahead of the season opener against Long Island. Coach Billy Napier provided an update on his status on Monday.

The talented sophomore quarterback was able to participate in 11-on-11 work on Monday, an encouraging sign. Lagway did not participate in the team’s most recent scrimmage and has yet to do so this fall, according to Florida insider for On3 Zach Abolverdi.

“He took team reps today, which is good,” Napier said. “And obviously, he’s hitting — he had a great, full stack of throws last week, four days in a row. Didn’t scrimmage but did quite a bit of work that day. So yeah, he’s feeling much better and he’s moving around well.”

DJ Lagway has dealt with multiple injuries this offseason, but it’s a calf injury sustained just before camp began that has currently been ailing him. He missed a few practices to open camp, then has been limited in most work since.

“He took good team reps today,” Napier said. “He’s done it in the past but — he’s doing fine.”

The electric quarterback from Texas also dealt with a shoulder injury that prevented him from throwing much in the spring. That will be something to monitor as the season progresses.

In any case, most are still expecting a massive year from the second-year player. DJ Lagway played second fiddle to veteran Graham Mertz entering the 2024 season, but Mertz suffered a season-ending injury midway through and Lagway took over.

He was far from perfect but emerged as one of the best deep-ball throwers in the country. Turnovers were a little bit of an issue, but he will have time to sort that out this fall.

At least one noted college football analyst is taking DJ Lagway as the top quarterback in the country this fall. That’s Josh Pate, who went in for the Florida gunslinger on Josh Pate’s College Football Show recently.

“I think DJ Lagway, at his best, can be the best quarterback in the country,” Pate said. “Now, I have, just like you, heard the injury concerns. I’ve seen the injury concerns. But I think when you blend raw talent and explosiveness and deep ball accuracy, when he’s at his best, he can be better than anyone in the country.”

He added more, taking Lagway above the likes of Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. He explained.

“DJ Lagway led the SEC last year in completion percentage on balls thrown 20 or more yards downfield,” Pate said. “And I still think there’s a way for him to level up his passing game. 2025 should be his pop year. And I’m not just talking about at Florida. DJ Lagway would be my No. 1.”