GAINESVILLE — Florida’s DJ Lagway is back at practice after the Gators’ struggling quarterback began the week in a protective boot, leading to speculation he might redshirt or opt out after his team’s 1-3 start.
“It’s comical,” Napier said on Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “The kid has been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off. Monday, had a really good day. We can’t control that outside narrative. But he’s just fine. He’s he’s been in the building, just like he’s on the staff.
“Yeah, that that’s a total myth that’s out there.”
Napier said Lagway was stepped on during Saturday’s 26-7 loss at Miami. Medical personnel put his foot in a protective boot to rest it.
Other than conjecture he might stop playing in 2024, the precautionary measure spurred concerns given Lagway’s injury riddled offseason, his need to improve and his guarantee he would following the worst statistical performance of his young career.
He finished 12-of-23 for a career-low 61 yards in the 10 games at UF he’s started and finished.
Miami Hurricanes defensive end Akheem Mesidor hits Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway while he attempts to throw at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 (Keira Arimenta/Contributor).
“It’s been hard, but you can tell we’re going to get things changed,” Lagway said after the game. “I can guarantee that. This is not acceptable at all. This isn’t OK. We’ve got to play better football, and it starts with me.”
Lagway has significant ground to make up during the bye week if he and the Gators are to salvage their seasons.
Offseason injuries to a core muscle, his right shoulder and left calf limited Lagway and curtailed the 20-year-old’s development after he burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024. He did not participate in 11-on-11 drills until Aug. 18.
During the past three games, he is 78-of-105 for 560 yards, or 5.3 yards per attempt, with two touchdowns and six interceptions — five of them during a Sept. 13 loss at LSU. Lagway has lacked confidence and solid mechanics. He has not attacked down the field as he did in 2024 when he was second nationally with an average of 10 yards per attempt, ranked second in the SEC in passer rating and produced two games with five completions of 40 yards or longer.
At Miami, he failed to complete a pass longer than 12 yards. According to ESPN Research, seven of his 12 completions were caught behind the line of scrimmage.
“There’s some rhythm missing there,” Napier said.
After the game, Lagway said this week would be critical.
“Just got to keep on developing. Continue to get better each and every day,” he said. “That’s all we can do. That’s all I can control. It’s just 1% better each and every day.”
Florida head coach Billy Napier fell to 5-15 away from the Swamp during a 26-7 loss at Miami Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Napier said everyone on the Gators’ offense needs to improve after scoring one touchdown in each of the past three games.
“There’s a renewed emphasis on accountability,” he said. “Obviously, we have to play better. Every position group is contributing to our issues, so I know obviously a lot is made of DJ and his situation. But when we look at it from a big picture standpoint, we’ve got to play better around them.”
“There’s gotta be some changes, and certainly that’s what we’re doing.”
One change Napier does not plan to make is to cede play calling duties, a constant source of criticism after he chose to continue in the role after last season.
Meanwhile, Napier confirmed starting cornerback Dijon Johnson would have season-ending surgery after he injured his knee at Miami. Defensive tackle Brendan Bett and nickel back Aaron Gates also left the game with injuries for a defense keeping the Gators in games.
“Right now trying to get healthy,” Napier said.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
