Who does Florida have left at quarterback after another devastating injury?

Early in the 2024 season with sixth-year veteran Graham Mertz and five-star true freshman DJ Lagway, Florida had two starting quarterbacks. Mertz and Lagway split reps for head coach Billy Napier, but Mertz tore his ACL against Tennessee, and then in Week 10 against Georgia, Lagway was carted off in the first half after grabbing at his hamstring. 

Heading into the half, Napier updated ESPN’s Holly Rowe that Lagway, “has a hamstring and a significant one.” So with Lagway out and Mertz already done for the season and his college career, Napier’s quarterback depth will be tested the rest of the way against the Bulldogs and the rest of the season if Lagway cannot return. 

Lagways’ backup was Aidan Warner, who spent last season at Yale. Before Week 10, the 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman had attempted just three collegiate passes. Going forward, Warner is likely to be Napier’s primary starting QB in Gainesville. Here is a look at the rest of Florida’s QB depth behind Mertz and Lagway. 

• Aidan Warner, redshirt freshman, 6’3” 206 lbs
• Clay Millen, redshirt junior, 6’2” 193 lbs
• Paul Kessler, freshman, 6’4” 219 lbs
• Lawrence Wright IV, freshman, 6’1” 236 lbs
• Aaron Williams, freshman 6’0” 195 lbs

Warner’s likely backup is Clay Millen, a redshirt junior transfer from Colorado State. Millen began his career at Nevada, where he attempted two passes in 2021 before leaving for Colorado State. At Colorado State, Millen threw for 1,910 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. Millen started the season opener in 2023 but was injured and replaced by Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi who held the job for the remainder of the year. 

Paul Kessler is a preferred walk-on freshman and Lawrence Wright IV and Aaron Williams are both walk-on freshmen who joined the team in the summer. None have seen action this season.