Florida QB DJ Lagway expected to start vs. Samford; Graham Mertz in concussion protocol

Football

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Image Credit: Logan Bowles, UAA

Hope entering the 2024 season was that Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier would create a package of plays to utilize five-star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway out of the gate. Lagway is going to get a lot more than a package of plays in Week 2 as he is expected to step in as the starting signal caller for Florida against Samford of the FCS with redshirt senior QB Graham Mertz set to miss the second game of the season while still undergoing tests in concussion protocol.

“Graham did not practice today,” Napier said in his Wednesday press conference, clarifying that it is rare for Florida to play someone who does not practice by midweek. “He is farther into the protocol and he’s doing better, but he’s hasn’t quite passed the final test. He’s doing better, but he’s not quite there yet. So, as of now, DJ will start the game.”

Lagway did not play in Week 1 until Mertz got knocked out of the Miami game late in the third quarter; no package of plays was utilized despite the Gators being on the wrong side of the scoreboard throughout the contest. When he did step onto the field, Lagway led a touchdown drive, ran for 20 yards and completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards with an interception. The turnover was happenstance; the ball got deflected into the air and landed on a defender who was already laying on the grass.

Napier hopes to see a better performance now that the freshman jitters have been shaken off, and he’s confident his prized pupil will be able to deliver inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Lagway will be the first true freshman QB to start for the Gators since Treon Harris at the end of the 2015 season.

“I want to see clean football,” he explained. “I want to see him lead the team and execute our offense, be the point guard, distribute the ball, take what the defense gives you, throw completions, create explosive [plays] when presented opportunities, be a great communicator, respond to success and adversity throughout the game and ultimately prepare in a way that reflects the vision for what you want to accomplish on Saturday.”

Napier said Lagway has been “sharp,” not nervous, in practice with “a good look in his eye.” During the SEC teleconference earlier Wednesday, he pointed out that Lagway had a successful Tuesday practice with players rallying around him. He also noted that Florida’s offense will be tailored to Lagway’s skill set, same as it would be for any quarterback.

“I think it’s huge that he actually got to play a little bit Week 1,” Napier explained Wednesday night. “… He’s been out there and kind of been through that process. He prepared in the 10-day prep for Miami, and he went through that entire thing. … He’s gotten all the reps with the ones, working with the first offense not the second offense. All of a sudden, the players around you and the defense you’re competing with is good-on-good.”

Lagway’s backup Saturday will be redshirt junior Clay Millen, a two-time transfer (Nevada to Colorado State) who started 10 games for the Buffaloes in 2022 completing 72.2% of his passes for 1,910 yards and 10 touchdowns.