Billy Napier’s future at Florida appears to rest on true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.
The former five-star recruit is the Gators’ new, full-time starter after veteran incumbent Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending ACL injury Saturday at Tennessee, Napier announced Monday. Mertz limped around after an apparent non-contact injury after throwing a third-quarter touchdown pass that gave the Gators a 10-0 lead.
Lagway threw an interception on his first pass after Mertz’s injury but rallied. His third-down dart to Chimere Dike in the final minute forced overtime.
Lagway — the No. 7 overall recruit in the 247Sports Composite and the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year — has appeared in every game for the 3-3 Gators. With Mertz sidelined with a concussion in Week 2, Lagway starred in his first career start against Samford. His 456 passing yards were the most ever by a Florida true freshman. Lagway was part of the regular game plan with Mertz in a two-quarterback system.
Lagway has completed 47 of 72 passes (65.3 percent) for 765 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 239-pound Texas native has also rushed 24 times for 50 yards.
Mertz, a sixth-year senior, was the nation’s leader in completion percentage (76.6) this season. Napier touted the former Wisconsin starter all offseason as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. He repeatedly cited Mertz’s experience and comfort in his second year at Florida as a reason for optimism.
Mertz appeared in five games this season, throwing six touchdown passes and two interceptions.
(Photo of DJ Lagway: Angelina Alcantar / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
