Florida turns to freshman DJ Lagway with Graham Mertz out for the season
2 months, 1 week ago

Florida turns to freshman DJ Lagway with Graham Mertz out for the season

New York Times  

Billy Napier’s Florida future likely rests on true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. The five-star talent is the Gators’ new full-time starter after veteran incumbent Graham Mertz tore his ACL in Saturday’s loss at Tennessee, Napier announced Monday. Napier and his staff handpicked Mertz from the portal among two dozen other potential options after the 2022 season because of the Wisconsin transfer’s experience, efficiency and accuracy. “Graham has meant a lot to me, but I would also say he’s meant a lot to this program and certainly the University of Florida,” Napier said during his weekly Monday news conference.

Florida Season Graham Gators Napier Lagway Mertz Dj Lagway  napier  florida  threw  lagway  quarterback  freshman  turns  napiers  yards  dj  mertz  graham  season  gators

History of this topic

Lagway throws for 305 yards to help Florida trounce Tulane 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl
2 days, 23 hours ago

Lagway throws for 305 yards to help Florida trounce Tulane 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl

Associated Press  

TAMPA, Fla. — DJ Lagway and Florida put together a strong finish to a difficult season. Lagway shook off a mistake-filled first half to throw for 305 yards and a touchdown in Florida’s sloppy 33-8 victory over Tulane on Friday. Tulane, which played without starting quarterback Darian Mensah, was outgained 529 yards to 194 and didn’t score until Ty Thompson …

DJ Lagway returns and Florida upsets No. 21 LSU 27-16 for 1st series win since 2018
1 month ago

DJ Lagway returns and Florida upsets No. 21 LSU 27-16 for 1st series win since 2018

Live Mint  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With two defenders closing in and a strained left hamstring to protect, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway's only option was to step up and let it fly. “God blessed that young man.” Lagway returned after missing most of Florida's last two games and delivered enough clutch plays for the Gators to earn their first series victory since 2018. …

DJ Lagway returns and Florida upsets No. 21 LSU 27-16 for 1st series win since 2018
1 month ago

DJ Lagway returns and Florida upsets No. 21 LSU 27-16 for 1st series win since 2018

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With two defenders closing in and a strained left hamstring to protect, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway’s only option was to step up and let it fly. “God blessed that young man.” Lagway returned after missing most of Florida’s last two games and delivered …

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway expected to start Saturday vs. LSU
1 month, 1 week ago

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway expected to start Saturday vs. LSU

New York Times  

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will return against LSU on Saturday and is expected to start, head coach Billy Napier announced Thursday on his radio show. Lagway was carted off the field against Georgia two weeks ago with a hamstring injury, but Napier later said the injury wasn’t as bad as initially feared. Lagway missed last week’s game against Texas and …

Florida coaches ‘felt good about what we saw’ while working out injured QB DJ Lagway
1 month, 1 week ago

Florida coaches ‘felt good about what we saw’ while working out injured QB DJ Lagway

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Injured Florida quarterback DJ Lagway worked out Monday for staffers who “felt good about what we saw,” coach Billy Napier said. Soft tissue is a very subjective issue,” said Napier, who added that he anticipated Lagway would practice later Monday. Tests revealed Lagway’s …

Florida QB DJ Lagway's Hamstring Injury Status Uncertain for Saturday's Game
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Florida QB DJ Lagway's Hamstring Injury Status Uncertain for Saturday's Game

Associated Press  

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway's hamstring injury is less significant than initially feared, and the Gators have not ruled him out for Saturday's game at No. 5 Texas. Lagway has completed 61% of his passes for 1,071 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He has completed 2 of 6 passes for 47 yards, including a 43-yarder to Aidan Mizell for …

Can Florida rally around Aidan Warner? DJ Lagway injury complicates Billy Napier chatter
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Can Florida rally around Aidan Warner? DJ Lagway injury complicates Billy Napier chatter

New York Times  

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s quarterback of the future and its quarterback of the past faced opposite directions Saturday as the quarterback of the present tried to steal one of the most miraculous victories in program history. And if the Gators can’t win at least one of them — and beat rival Florida State in the finale — Napier’s job still …

Florida's QB Future Hinges on DJ Lagway's Performance
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Florida's QB Future Hinges on DJ Lagway's Performance

Associated Press  

DJ Lagway's performance this season has been a major factor in Billy Napier's future at Florida. He has been a consistent passer and a dynamic runner, and he has shown that he can make all the throws that Napier needs. If he continues to play at this level, he could save Napier's job and give the Gators a much-needed victory …

Mertz passes for 3 scores and runs for another to help Florida beat Mississippi State 45-28
3 months ago

Mertz passes for 3 scores and runs for another to help Florida beat Mississippi State 45-28

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! — With Florida head coach Billy Napier’s job security grabbing the bulk of the attention on Saturday afternoon, the Gators rose to the occasion against Mississippi State. Graham Mertz passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another to lead Florida over Mississippi State 45-28 on Saturday. …

Ex-Wisconsin QB Mertz finding his footing at Florida
1 year, 8 months ago

Ex-Wisconsin QB Mertz finding his footing at Florida

Associated Press  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Graham Mertz jogged into the Swamp with the first-team offense Thursday night, wearing the No. “Really enjoyed the spring.” It’s not clear whether he could honestly say the same about the spring game, a 10-7 effort that included countless bad snaps and even drew a veiled shot from Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin on Twitter. Both Mertz …

What can Florida football fans expect from former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz?
1 year, 10 months ago

What can Florida football fans expect from former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz?

New York Times  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When The Athletic broke the news Dec. 21 that Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz intended to transfer to Florida, the reaction bordered on scathing. Just observing him and hearing other players talk about him, the work he’s done with our staff — not only strength and conditioning but also every part of training, nutrition and film study.” So …

Former Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz to play for Florida in 2023
2 years ago

Former Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz to play for Florida in 2023

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is transferring to Florida, giving the Gators an experienced starter at a depleted position. A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Mertz left the program after the Badgers hired former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to head its program. The Gators …

Discover Related