GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway was seen wearing a walking boot following Saturday’s 26-7 loss to Miami, according to Swamp247 reporter Zach Goodall.
Despite the injury, the Gators expect Lagway to be ready for their SEC home opener Oct. 4 against Texas. True freshman Tramell Jones Jr. has been named the backup for this week’s game against Long Island University.
Lagway’s health has been an ongoing storyline. He missed the spring with a shoulder issue and what coach Billy Napier described as a “hernia-type problem.” In July, he suffered a calf injury that briefly raised concerns about his availability to start the season, though Napier insisted it was only minor.
Gators quarterback DJ Lagway showed why he Florida’s leader during postgame.
— Luke Adragna (@lukeadrag) September 21, 2025
“We gotta play better football, and it starts with me.”
Napier added that the team “rallied around him” heading into the matchup, and DB Devin Moore said he has “150%” trust in Lagway. pic.twitter.com/vpOsmngTK3
The lack of practice time has fueled questions about his performance. On “The Pat McAfee Show,” former Alabama coach and ESPN analyst Nick Saban said Lagway’s struggles stem from limited reps.
“I think the quarterback has struggled, and I think he’s struggled because he hasn’t been able to practice,” Saban said. “Some guys can play without practice and some guys need reps to get it right.”
Against Miami, Lagway turned in his roughest performance of the season, completing 12 of 23 passes for 61 yards. Through four games, he has 690 passing yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions, with a 47.4 QBR.
Still, Lagway vowed to take responsibility and set the tone moving forward.
“I’m the head of it, and I’m going to start with it,” Lagway said. “I’m going to demand greatness from everybody. We’re done with the playing around stuff. It’s time to get serious, and it starts with me.”
