GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will open fall camp in the identical spot he spent spring observe — watching from the sidelines.
Lagway is coping with a calf pressure and sporting a strolling boot, and coach Billy Napier supplied no timetable on his star participant’s return. It is the newest damage situation for the extremely touted sophomore who missed spring with a shoulder damage after present process sports activities hernia surgical procedure.
“It isn’t superb,” Napier mentioned Wednesday. “Within the excellent world, he could be excellent on daily basis of the offseason. I feel the great factor is his perspective towards it. I feel that is a optimistic. … He is in Yr 2, I feel he understands what’s required to be prepared. It isn’t superb, however I feel finally we’ll give you the most effective plan we will to have him prepared.”
The Gators open coaching camp Wednesday. And Napier, in contrast to in earlier years, closed viewing durations to media for the primary three days.
Lagway, who went 6-1 in seven begins as a freshman in 2024, is broadly thought-about a Heisman Trophy contender heading into this season. However he is barely been on the sector at a time when he might be making important strides.
He was restricted throughout spring observe due to a proper shoulder damage that would ultimately want surgical procedure. He resumed throwing in late April and mentioned earlier this month at Southeastern Convention media days he would totally take part in camp.
However then he strained a calf muscle final week.
“Accidents are one of many horrible issues in regards to the career and definitely for him being a Yr 2 participant and a very motivated and hungry man,” Napier mentioned. “I feel he is performed an excellent job staying related. I feel he nonetheless has a voice as a pacesetter. He is nonetheless strolling the halls. He is nonetheless in a position to be a think about that regard.
“However he is nonetheless a really younger participant and wishes these reps for improvement as nicely. When he will get again, he’ll be simply wonderful. He is had an excellent perspective towards it, and we have got to assist him handle expectations a bit of bit as nicely.”
Lagway accomplished 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 2024. He took over the beginning position after Graham Mertz tore a knee ligament at Tennessee in October.
With out Lagway now, journeyman Harrison Bailey is anticipated to get many of the first-team snaps. Bailey performed at Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville earlier than transferring to Florida earlier this 12 months.
For Lagway, the calf damage is the newest in a rising checklist of setbacks during the last three years. The Willis, Texas, native injured his proper foot throughout the Beneath Armour All-American Recreation in January 2024 and missed elements of coaching camp final fall due to shoulder soreness.
Lagway additionally strained his left hamstring in opposition to Georgia final 12 months and missed the next week’s recreation at Texas. He returned down the stretch and helped the Gators win their remaining 4 video games.
“The sky is the restrict for that child,” teammate and defensive finish Tyreak Sapp mentioned. “That child isn’t just blessed with a variety of skill; the child is expert. He practices what he preaches, and he is available in on a regular basis and works onerous, no matter what it’s. … It may be tremendous thrilling to see what he does.
“I feel these (accidents) occur. Clearly, it is unlucky. We do our greatest to maintain DJ wholesome and preserve DJ going. I do know DJ’s going to have the ability to present out and be himself — and be the most effective model of himself.”