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Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is currently sidelined as he recovers from injury in fall camp. He was held out of the Gators‘ most recent scrimmage as a precautionary measure.
Head coach Billy Napier refused to address his star player’s status with the 2025 college football campaign inching closer. It’s created a bit of unnecessary drama this preseason.
Lagway is dealing with a calf injury less than three weeks out from the team’s opener. This, coming after suffering setbacks to his shoulder, hamstring, and core as a freshman.
The passer’s injury history is now a focal point. Will it impact the upcoming season?
DJ Lagway can’t stay healthy.
He’s currently limited in practice, though he has been able to throw. He was not active in the team’s first live scrimmage.
Lagway’s still not 100% ready to take the field in a competitive situation. The Gators are being careful with his usage, and rightfully so.
He signed with the school as a five-star talent. He posted a 6-1 record as a rookie starter with wins over Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida State last year. He is the present and future of the program.
Unfortunately, injuries have somewhat stunted his growth.
He missed spring practice after undergoing sports hernia surgery and nursing a shoulder injury. He’s been unable to work on his timing and accuracy in live 11-on-11 settings this month due to his calf.
Billy Napier has been asked about his superstar’s outlook. His response wasn’t necessarily a vote of confidence surrounding Lagway’s health moving forward.
“I think the big thing would be, we’re going to have to play complementary football regardless of who’s playing quarterback. I mean, if you do your homework here, 85% of the time, the team is going to play with the No. 2 quarterback.”
-Billy Napier
Napier is preparing for DJ Lagway to be sidelined at some point in the season. That’s not a bad thing given his history and the physicality of the game of football.
What is a bit concerning, however, is the coach’s refusal to address his upcoming availability.
Billy Napier sidesteps question on his QB’s playing status.
While speaking to the media, he was asked about Lagway’s progress. Obviously, the passer was absent for the first scrimmage, but a hypothetical scenario was suggested regarding next weekend.
Would DJ Lagway be available if there was a game next week?
“We don’t play Saturday.”
-Billy Napier
Napier avoided the questions. He didn’t want to speculate on hypotheticals. His refusal to answer has many worried about Lagway’s recovery.
That concern not only surrounds fall camp, but also the season opener. Will he be on the field? How severe is the calf strain?
While the passer isn’t at 100%, and he might not be all that close given Napier’s future outlook, the coach does believe Lagway is progressing.
Napier on DJ Lagway and his progress, “he had his best day at practice today.” pic.twitter.com/S74tHfNK1F
— Alyssa Britton-Harr (@abrittonharr) August 11, 2025
How quickly that progress comes could have major impacts on the Florida football season. Luckily, they’ll be favored in their first two games regardless of who’s under center, providing some potential leeway in Lagway’s timeline for return.