Florida’s quarterback situation just got a whole lot clearer — and maybe a bit more entertaining. DJ Lagway strolled into SEC Media Days in Atlanta with the kind of swagger that’d make even the most seasoned sports pundits take notice, effectively putting to rest those pesky rumors about his health that had been circulating since spring.
“I don’t have a prosthetic arm,” he deadpanned, drawing genuine laughs from the assembled media. Classic Lagway — turning what could’ve been an awkward moment into pure gold.
The real story? Sure, there were some bumps along the way. A shoulder thing here, hamstring issues there, and yeah, that hernia former Gator Chris Doering mentioned on Crain and Company. But heading into the 2025 season opener against Long Island, things are looking up. Way up.
“Training’s been amazing,” Lagway shared, his enthusiasm practically bouncing off the walls. “I’m actually getting better at throwing the ball” — and then came the part that really caught everyone’s attention — “been working on mechanics that’s gonna help my accuracy, help my decision making.”
Head coach Billy Napier, whose tenure with the Gators has seen its share of ups and downs (mostly downs, if we’re being honest), backed his QB’s assessment. According to Napier, Lagway’s been throwing three times weekly… heck, the kid even squeezed in a training session before his Media Days appearance. Talk about dedication.
Let’s rewind a bit. Last season wasn’t exactly a disaster — 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, nine picks across 12 games. Not earth-shattering numbers, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find something interesting: a 6-1 record as starter, including four wins after that Georgia game hamstring situation. Not too shabby for a young gun finding his footing.
But here’s what’s really turning heads in Gainesville: Lagway’s approach to the game. While social media highlight reels love those deep bombs (and who doesn’t?), he’s zeroed in on something else entirely. “I’m gonna make more of them,” he admitted about those flashy plays, “but that’s not my biggest thing right now. My biggest thing is making the boring throws more consistently.”
That October matchup at Texas A&M? Could be interesting. Lagway, a Texas native, “definitely was considering” the Aggies during recruitment. Now he’ll get his shot at showing them what they missed out on.
The vibe around Florida’s program feels different nowadays. Maybe it’s Lagway’s infectious confidence, or perhaps it’s Napier finally finding his groove in year four. Whatever it is, when Napier says “year two for him has got a chance to be really special,” you get the feeling he might be underselling it.
Just don’t expect Lagway to need that prosthetic arm anytime soon. Though, come to think of it, that might make for one heck of a NIL deal.
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