In the waning moments of Florida’s season opener against Miami, the game was already well out of reach for the Gators. But as redshirt senior quarterback Graham Mertz dropped back in the pocket late in the third quarter, things only got worse.
Facing heavy pressure from the Hurricanes’ defensive front all game, Mertz took a hit to the head that sent Florida’s field general into concussion protocol.
It will undoubtedly be an uphill battle for UF to finish the season out the way it wishes. With a schedule that many have called the hardest in the nation, there will be plenty of bumps along the way for the Gators this Fall.
But perhaps a glimmer of hope awaits for third-year head coach Billy Napier. The crown jewel of Florida’s 2024 recruiting class is set to make his first start of his collegiate career against Samford Saturday.
Five-star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway has been taking first-team reps this week after replacing Mertz in the fourth quarter of UF’s Week 1 loss.
“One of the positives was [that] he had some success,” Napier said. “We were able to go down and score a touchdown with him in the game. Obviously he's a young player, but he'll continue to work and improve. He's got a bright future.”
Lagway will have the chance to improve on last week’s performance, where he went 3-for-6 for 31 yards and an interception. However, he faced unruly pressure on the play he threw a pick, and it was clearly not a misread or miscue of throwing mechanics.
Moreover, the true freshman had a pair of seamless completions on slant routes that hit sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III in stride for first downs.
“I was super proud of DJ,” senior wide receiver Chimere Dike said. “To step in that spot is not easy, and the way he continued to compete for four quarters shows the kind of character he has, and I've seen that since day one with him.”
Lagway has plenty of options in the receiving game, but having time in the pocket could determine how successful he will be in his first start.
Florida’s front-seven was inconsistent in its effort against Miami, and they’ll need to show improvement to allow Lagway ample time to put his raw talent on display.
Although Mertz is likely to return to his starting role after properly going through concussion protocol in the coming weeks, Gator fans will get their first look at what could be UF’s next superstar quarterback.
Florida will take on Samford Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at 7 p.m.
Contact Max Tucker at mtucker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Max_Tuckr1.
Max Tucker is a junior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
