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Billy Napier provides an injury update on Florida QB DJ Lagway

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi07/29/25ZachAbolverdi
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Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during fall football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators reported for training camp on Tuesday and will hold their first practice Wednesday. The status of starting quarterback DJ Lagway will be the one of the biggest storylines to follow this week.

Lagway suffered a calf injury during a team run last week and was placed in a boot, Gators Online first reported on Monday. His injury is not thought to be serious, but it’s unclear how much practice time Lagway could miss as a result.

Napier addressed Lagway’s status on Tuesday.

“We have a handful of players that are going to be modified, will be limited early in camp,” Napier said. He noted that Lagway would be one of them, adding Lagway and some others are “a little bit modified in our day to day as they’re in return to play. … We have [a] positive attitude where they’re headed and their opportunity to get back here shortly.”

Of Lagway, Napier further noted, “He’s day to day. The good thing is that we’re about a week removed [from his latest injury]. In general, he’s made a lot of quick progress. But it will be something that we’re monitoring and hopefully as we go his ability to participate in practice will be a little bit more each opportunity that we get going forward.”

He continued, “Injuries are one of the tougher things about the profession, and certainly for him being a Year-2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy. So I think he’s done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He’s still walking the halls. He’s still able to be a factor in that regard. But he’s still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he’ll be just fine.”

DJ Lagway did not attempt any passes during the spring while nursing a shoulder injury and a lower body injury, according to Napier. He resumed throwing in late April and said he’s “feeling great” at SEC Media Days.

DJ Lagway is coming off a promising freshman season

Lagway, a Freshman All-American, went 6-0 last season in the games he started and finished. He threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions and completed 60.0% of his passes in 12 games played.

Lagway made his first career start in Week 2 and set a UF true freshman record with 456 passing yards (ninth all-time in school history). He also ranked No. 2 nationally in deep balls with a PFF passing depth grade of 95.8.

After playing in a two-quarterback system last year and taking over as the starter midseason, Lagway heads into 2025 as the well-established QB1 for the Gators with high expectations for his sophomore campaign.

“It’s been different for sure,” Lagway said at SEC Media Days. “Going into the offseason being the guy. But it’s been great, building leadership skills. … I’ve learned so much, just about me, about the team, about the offense. … I feel like I’ve grown so much, I’ve matured so much. Just going from Year 1 to Year 2 has been a huge jump. I’m definitely looking to improve on more coverage recognition and knowing where the defense is going to be and truly knowing their responsibilities and also knowing my teammates’ responsibilities better.”

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