Florida names DJ Lagway starting quarterback ahead of 2025 season

Florida has named sophomore DJ Lagway its starting quarterback ahead of the 2025 campaign, Billy Napier formally announced. Though the news comes as very little surprise, it’s now official for the Gators.

Lagway is entering his sophomore season after a very promising freshman campaign. He emerged as the team’s full-time starter midseason in 2024, following an injury to starting quarterback Graham Mertz.

Notably, the talented quarterback from Texas has not lost a game that he both started and finished. Injury and a late start in the game Mertz was injured in prevented him from winning every contest he entered last year.

But, boy, was Florida productive with DJ Lagway under center. Lagway finished with 1,915 yards passing and 12 touchdowns, showing off some of the best deep-ball touch in the country. He did throw nine interceptions, however, and cutting down on turnovers will be a huge point of emphasis for him this fall.

So, too, will be staying healthy. DJ Lagway has been besieged by a number of injuries since taking the starting job.

He first suffered a hamstring injury in a game against Georgia last season, a game in which Florida was in full control of until he departed. He missed the ensuing game against Texas as a result.

Then, Lagway suffered a reported shoulder injury that limited him in spring ball. He did not fully participate in practices during the spring as a result.

Finally, just before fall camp started, DJ Lagway suffered a calf injury and had to be limited. But he has slowly made progress since, and Florida was never overly concerned about his availability for the regular season.

“I think, look. Injuries are one of the tougher things about the profession,” coach Billy Napier said at the beginning of camp. “And certainly for him, being a Year 2 player, and a really motivated and hungry guy, you know… You know, he’s still a very young player, needs these reps for development as well.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s not ideal. I mean, in a perfect world, he would have been perfect every day of the offseason, right? So, I think the good thing is his attitude towards it. I think that’s a positive.”

The head coach was confident Florida could get DJ Lagway ready in time for the season even with the missed prep work. That’s good, because Napier himself is under a lot of pressure heading into the year.

“He’ll be just fine,” Napier said. “I mean, he has had a great attitude towards it and I think we’ve got to help him manage expectations a little bit as well. But, in general, I think, one day at a time, being present and executing the plan for each day. I think we’ve got to help him with that.

“He’s in Year 2. He, I think, understands what’s required to be ready. It’s not ideal but I think, ultimately, you know, we’ll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready.”