In Gainesville, Florida, quarterback DJ Lagway of the University of Florida will face some restrictions during his spring practice sessions, as revealed by coach Billy Napier on Thursday. According to Napier, Lagway’s throwing activities will be limited due to a lower-body injury, although specific details remain sparse. It’s noted that Lagway has not undergone any surgery during the offseason.
Last November, Lagway temporarily missed a game because of a strained left hamstring that he sustained in a clash against Georgia. Despite this setback, he was back on the field for every subsequent game, including leading Florida to victory in their December bowl game against Tulane.
Napier emphasized the need for caution with Lagway’s participation in practice, stating, “I think our intentions here are to be very smart. He will be limited in throwing activities but will otherwise fully engage in practice.” Praising Lagway, he remarked on the quarterback’s resilience and competitive nature. As a freshman last year, Lagway achieved a 60% pass completion rate, throwing for 1,915 yards, delivering 12 touchdowns alongside nine interceptions. He assumed the starting role under compelling circumstances after Graham Mertz sustained a knee injury in October.
As part of the upcoming spring drills, Napier plans for Lagway to continue his involvement by calling plays for Harrison Bailey, a new transfer player from Louisville, serving as the backup quarterback. “We’ve consulted several experts here at UF Health,” Napier mentioned, as the coaching staff sought secondary opinions nationally. He noted, “Generally, he will be able to participate quite a bit but with some constraints.”
Napier remains optimistic about Lagway’s development, even as the quarterback adopts a broader leadership role primarily from the sidelines. “It’s his team, so from a leadership perspective, he’s got a much different role and voice now,” Napier explained. He added that the quarterback would need to manage the balance between external expectations and individual growth carefully. The journey ahead includes separating process from outcome, maintaining humility, and driving his development further. Lagway is reportedly eager to tackle these challenges moving forward.
