The Florida football team will enter next weekend still licking their wounds after a brutal 41-17 blowout loss to interstate rival Miami (FL). The Florida Gators labored for most of the 60-minute tilt, with starting signal caller Graham Mertz going 11-of-20 for 91 yards and an interception before suffering a game-ending concussion in the second half. Backup quarterback and five-star freshman DJ Lagway stepped in, completing 50% of his passes for 31 yards and an interception.
With Mertz still on the mend, head coach Billy Napier announced on Wednesday that Lagway will start for the Gators on Saturday against the Samford Bulldogs.
Florida Football Opting to Start Freshman Sensation on Saturday
Ncaa Football Florida Gators Spring Football Practice
Florida Freshman QB DJ Lagway will start this week vs Samford, Billy Napier announced Graham Mertz is out due to a concussion
Lagway played sparingly in Florida football’s 2024 season opener, throwing just six passes in relief for starting quarterback Graham Mertz. He also ran four times for 20 yards while tossing a pick. Despite a less-than-eye-popping debut, Lagway joined Florida this offseason as the third overall recruit in the 2024 class, per 247Sports. In 2023, Lagway earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors while throwing for 4,605 yards, 59 touchdowns, and eight interceptions at Willis High School in Texas.
Florida will look to secure the win on Saturday in Lagway’s first career start. They will host the Samford Bulldogs, who fell to West Georgia in their season opener 38-29. Samford last played an FBS school in 2023, losing to the Auburn Tigers 45-13.
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