Well, DJ Lagway’s opener against LIU had some rust, but nothing too concerning. Remember, the USF loss brought footwork issues, yet still not a disaster. But LSU was the breaking point. Yes, five interceptions in one game: a meltdown that can’t be ignored. Especially the quarterback, who electrified CFB in 2024, suddenly looks unrecognizable. And following that now, Lagway’s stunted offseason looms large, with real questions about how much it stalled the former five-star’s rise.
Here, Florida legend Steve Spurrier has noticed something’s ‘off’ with DJ Lagway. Interestingly, after tossing five interceptions in the 20-10 loss, Lagway admitted it himself. “I’ve never had a performance like that in my life… but it’s all about how you bounce back, and I’m planning on doing so,” he said. Surely, progress was supposed to follow his strong 2024 finish, but nagging injuries and a slowed recovery have stalled his leap forward. So now, instead of rising, Lagway looks like he’s sliding backward. Here’s the crucial advice Lagway needs.
On September 18, CBS Sports’ Bud Elliott didn’t mince words and wrote, “If I was DJ, I would redshirt.” The reasoning was simple. Lagway doesn’t look right after limited practice time tied to injury recovery. But the talent is undeniable. So, Elliott’s advice? Hit pause, get healthy, reset, and keep two full seasons of eligibility in his back pocket. Simply put, Lagway is now being urged to take drastic steps to rebuild his game and recover his slipping draft stock. So, what’s behind Lagway’s struggles?
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Look, DJ Lagway’s offseason was anything but normal. Shoulder pain, first traced back to a high school baseball injury, resurfaced late last year. Following that, he sought out two of the biggest names in sports medicine, Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Keith Meister, before settling on a rehab plan with Florida’s staff. “It was as abnormal as abnormal can get,” said his agent, Deiric Jackson. But that’s not all. Add in a core muscle surgery early in 2025 plus nagging hamstring and groin issues, Lagway’s body was never fully right. So, safe to say, from January through April, he didn’t throw a single pass, just handed off in the spring game. Now comes the explanation for the slump.
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Well, his personal QB coach, JP Tillman, says the lost time derailed the progress Lagway made after 2024. “I don’t want to make that excuse about him missing so much time, because we all tried to feel like it wasn’t going to be too much of a drop off,” mentioned Tillman. But the tweaks they had planned, from stepping further into throws to better weight control, to fixing how he pulled the ball back, never got the needed reps. So, instead of refining his mechanics, Lagway is now trying to play his way back into shape on the fly. But why?
Here’s the thing: Lagway’s camp believes the sophomore will settle in as the season wears on. Surely, he isn’t hurt, but he’s still chasing rhythm; no easy task with 3 straight ranked opponents ahead. Although some of his interceptions were throws he usually nails, his body hasn’t caught up to his mind. “It’s something he’s going to figure out,” remarked Tillman. “He just didn’t get the time to acclimate, we thought he would. Now, we’re all watching him adjust in real time.” And while the injuries dominate the conversation, Billy Napier’s view of Lagway adds another layer.
Billy Napier on DJ Lagway’s five-pick game
Gator fans expected DJ Lagway’s talent to shine through, even with the injuries. Instead, the missed time shows up on every throw. Yes, his arm lacks its usual pop, his decisions feel a beat slow, and the offense around him hasn’t made life any easier. Although missing spring ball was a hurdle, the calf injury in fall camp turned it into a wall, forcing Billy Napier to reset his outlook on his QB.
Back in the spring, Napier leaned on optimism. “We’ve consulted with quite a few experts… he’ll be able to do quite a bit. But there will be some limitations,” he said at the time. But after the LSU meltdown, the tone was different. “This was his fourth week of full practice. He’s had a very unique offseason. He’s missed quite a bit of time. But he’s not going to use that as a crutch.” Here, Napier has gone from hopeful to resigned.
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He knows Lagway never made the leap because of missed reps, yet Florida can’t afford to wait. The Gators have no proven option behind him, but if the sophomore continues to unravel, this 1-2 start could spiral into 1-5. And if that happens, the fallout in Gainesville could mean more than a QB change; it could mean a program shakeup.