DJ Lagway has been at the center of most conversations regarding Florida Gators -- but not just because he's the starting quarterback.
The rising sophomore didn't throw during portions of spring and summer with a shoulder injury and was sidelined for early sections of training camp with a calf strain.
Now five days out from the Gators' season opener against Long Island University, there's a definitive answer regarding Lagway's health and availability.
Florida coach Billy Napier says QB DJ Lagway has been a 100% participant in practice this week and will start Saturday vs. LIU.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) August 25, 2025
Lagway didn't throw in spring and had been dealing with a calf strain in camp.
The news doesn't exactly come out of nowhere, as Lagway had been making steady progress during fall camp while Florida brought him along with plenty of caution. Regardless, it's a positive development that bodes well for Florida once they have to face serious competition -- Sorry, LIU.
Even though Lagway is a full-go, it's not a guarantee he will see significant run against an awful Sharks team that has won 16 games in six years since moving up to Division 1.
As Hail Florida Hail outlined last week, there are plenty of benefits and risks to putting the star quarterback under center against LIU.
Past our speculation, Billy Napier even alluded to limiting Lagway's reps during his game-week press conference Monday.
I'm paraphrasing the Q, but Napier was asked about the approach to playing Lagway Week 1: to treat him as though he's 100% following his banged-up offseason or to protect his health?
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 25, 2025
"Probably wouldn't say those things publicly, but obviously you're thinking the right way." https://t.co/UnAa8rhoRW
It's critical for Lagway to get game reps, adjusting to the full-contact nature that can't be replicated in practice. But also to feel the pace and intensity of an actual game rather than a scrimmage.
These reps are even more valuable considering Lagway hadn't participated in 11-on-11 work until last week and had an interception issue as a true freshman.
A win on Saturday is all but guaranteed, so the Gators' focus should be on getting Lagway and the rest of the roster up to speed physically and mentally for a Week 2 matchup against a USF team that will come out guns blazing.
How much time they'll need to do that is up in the air, and it's a dangerous balancing act with the risk of a season-altering injury in a meaningless contest.
And with a stretch against LSU, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M immediately following USF, there's no time for a sluggish start to the season.