Gators quarterback DJ Lagway will be 'limited' this spring

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, a rising sophomore, will be “limited” in spring practice, according to Florida Gators coach Billy Napier. Napier made the announcement during a press conference Thursday, hours before the UF football program will begin spring camp.

As he ran off a list of players either battling injury or recovering from surgery, Napier mentioned Lagway. “DJ Lagway will be limited in terms of his participation in spring from a throwing component with the shoulder and then also the lower body,” Napier said.

Napier later elaborated:

“I think some lower body, some shoulder,” the coach said of Lagway’s issues. “I think our intentions here are to be very smart. I do think he’ll be limited in throwing activities, but he’ll participate in all practices otherwise. We’ve done a lot of homework here relative to the things he went through as a player. He was an absolute warrior. And a great competitor that showed toughness. And we’ve consulted with quite a few experts here from UF Health, from a national perspective. … I think in general, he’ll be able to do quite a bit. But there will be some limitations.”

DJ Lagway is coming off a strong freshman season

As a true freshman in 2024, Lagway passed for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while completing 59.9 percent of his passes. Against Georgia on Nov. 2, he sustained a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game and caused him to miss the following Florida game at Texas. He returned in Week 10 against LSU and led the Gators to an upset win over the No. 22 Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

With Lagway limited, one quarterback to watch is transfer Harrison Bailey, an experienced player who comes to Gainesville from Louisville. He is the favorite to be Lagway’s top backup.

*This story will be updated.