Florida HC Billy Napier explains DJ Lagway's most impressive attribute

There is a lot of hope riding on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway heading into the 2025 season in Gainesville. The Florida Gators recruited him to be a star, and he proved he has the makings of one during his freshman campaign.

It was up-and-down, of course, but Lagway threw for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. He played in 12 games and started seven. He tied Chris Leak for the most wins recorded by a Florida quarterback in program history.

There's a lot to build on heading into 2025, but head coach Billy Napier recently revealed that perhaps the most impressive trait Lagway displayed in 2025 was his ability to take all the good things about being a young and exciting star quarterback at Florida in stride.

“I think that what’s impressed me with DJ is how he has handled success,” Napier recently said at SEC Media Days, according to Nick Kosko of On3/Rivals. “You know, we knew DJ before he dominated Texas high school football his senior year, he became the Gatorade National Player of the Year, right? So, seeing the humility, seeing how he treated people, how he embraced his role in that community, on that team, the steadiness, I think his parents obviously provided a great example there."

The only thing that could potentially slow down Lagway in 2025 would be injury, and that's notable because he has been a bit banged up. An existing shoulder injury cost him a few practices last fall, and he dealt with a hamstring injury during the 2024 season.

He was limited in spring practice and didn't throw in Florida's spring game, but the young quarterback told the media on Wednesday.

“All right, I don’t have a prosthetic arm, just letting you all know that,” he said jokingly on Wednesday, according to Seth Emerson of The Athletic. “But no, I’m feeling great, training’s been amazing. I’m actually getting better at things, I’m not just trying to get back to throwing the ball, I’ve been working on mechanics that’s going to help my accuracy this year, help my decision-making.”

If the accuracy improves and Lagway is able to make the expected jump from year one to year two as a college quarterback, there's absolutely a world in which he's one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season. For Florida, that has to be exciting, because that would give the Gators the chance to compete in the SEC and even for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

“He showed tremendous grit and toughness, played through some injuries,” Napier said of his young quarterback. “I think Year 2 for him will be something special.”