When it was reported that DJ Lagway was in a walking boot following the loss to Miami, rumors and speculation started to run rampant. Given the way NCAA rules work, Lagway, or any Florida player, has the option to opt out the rest of the season and utilize their redshirt and preserve a year of eligibility since they have played four or fewer games in 2025.
During his weekly SEC Teleconference, Billy Napier was well aware of those outside narratives and shut them down.
DJ Lagway back at practice for Florida
The Gators tweeted out a video of Lagway at practice, seemingly indicating that Lagway's injury isn't too severe.
Napier then addressed the idea that Lagway could opt out of the rest of 2025:
"It's comical. The kid has been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off. Monday, yesterday, had a really good day. So yeah, we can't control that outside narrative, obviously. But no, he's just fine. He's been in the building, just like he's on the staff, so he's been back to work. And certainly, yeah, that's a total myth that's out there."
We will say that for someone who has repeated in the past that Florida needs to "block the outside noise," Napier does seem hyper-aware of the noise that surrounds the program, especially considering most of the opt-out chatter was contained to X and message boards.
Lagway has had a rough go of things in 2025 and has not only not progressed from his freshman campaign, but he has seemingly regressed after missing all of the offseason.
Among the statistics that highlight Lagway's struggles this year, 18% of his pass attempts were at least 20 yards downfield in 2024.
In 2025, that's down to 5% and the only completion he has made on a pass that was at least 20 yards down the field was the circus catch Vernell Brown III made against LIU.
Florida is on a bye week this Saturday before returning next week to face Texas.