Starting Gators quarterback Graham Mertz is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a knee injury in the game against Tennessee this past Saturday. The sixth-year quarterback exited the game in the third quarter after throwing a touchdown pass to give Florida a 10-0 lead.
The injury was non-contact and came at a time when Mertz was playing well. The injury looks to have opened the door for true freshman DJ Lagway, which will have the fans buzzing with excitement to watch the five-star prospect see out the season.
Starting Gators Quarterback to Be DJ Lagway For Final Six Games
After the horrendous start to the season, things quietened down in Gainesville after back-to-back wins over Mississippi State, and UCF moved them to 3-2 on the season. Against No.8 ranked Tennessee, Graham Mertz helped put them in a position to record an upset win before the injury derailed the team’s momentum. It is also a double whammy for Mertz, who was in his final season of eligibility, meaning his college career is likely over.
Mertz had stats of 11-15, 125 passing yards, and one touchdown before freshman DJ Lagway entered the game. The game didn’t necessarily swing because of the inexperienced college signal caller, but that’s how it looks on paper. On his first pass of the game, he was picked off by Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter. He composed himself to throw nine completions from 17 attempts for 98 passing yards and one touchdown. It wasn’t enough to avoid a 23-17 defeat.
Despite Graham Mertz playing significantly better in recent games, head coach Billy Napier has been using both quarterbacks throughout the games, with Mertz seeing a higher snap count. DJ Lagway will now have to take on the role of leader, with the remaining schedule as tough as it gets. Wedged between Kentucky and Florida State, the Gators will face Georgia, Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss, a run of defenses that could dent any quarterback’s confidence.
If it does get too much for the young freshman, they have Clay Millen, who has some experience playing for Colorado State during the 2022 season predominantly. It will have to get really bad for that to happen, but at least there is another direction. Napier wants to maintain Lagway’s confidence in his first year, for him or the next head coach.
Does the Change in Situation Change the Narrative Around Billy Napier?
Florida head coach Billy Napier has been on the hot seat forever. Now in his third season, his record is under .500, and fans have been calling for a change since the middle of last season. That being said, he is clinging on, thanks to, in some part, his recruiting. One of those top recruits he talked into signing was five-star quarterback DJ Lagway from the 2024 class. Earlier than expected, he is set to start the remaining games of the season under Napier. Does that help Napier stay in the job longer?
It will come down to these final regular season games, as in many situations. Can the team be competitive in college football’s most challenging remaining schedule? If DJ Lagway can help kick-start a revival that sees Florida make a bowl game, then perhaps it’s a tall order. At least it looks like he has till the end of the season, much to the dismay of the Gators fans.
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