Aug. 31 can’t get here fast enough.
Still, we have to wait four-plus months for the UF football team to kick off its third season under Napier against the Hurricanes. Until then, we have much to discover about a Florida team hungry for a winning season and return to national relevance after three straight losing seasons.
That is Napier’s mission in 2024 and part of the focus over the past month as the Gators conducted spring camp. Fans get their first glimpse at this year’s Gators on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where the annual Orange & Blue Game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
See you back in The Swamp tomorrow!
🗓 Saturday, April 13th
🕐 1 PM
🎟 Free!
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) April 12, 2024
The stakes will be much higher in the season opener, but the Gators in action on Florida Field is always something to look forward to. And there are many new faces and numbers to learn following an offseason of change inside the Heavener Training Center.
With the field painted and the helmets polished, here is a look at the key storylines entering the spring game:
A VET AND A ROOKIE
Florida’s quarterback situation is relatively steady and considered a strength entering a critical season for the program. With sixth-year senior Graham Mertz the starter and five-star freshman DJ Lagway in position to serve as the backup and change-of-pace option, the Gators have experience in Mertz and an intriguing building block in Lagway.
Mertz is recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered near the end of last season and has shown he is fully healthy this spring. Meanwhile, more eyes will likely be on Lagway on Saturday afternoon as the Texas native makes his debut in the Orange & Blue Game.
Lagway is indicative of the modern-day, five-star signee. He arrived on campus as the Gatorade National Player of the Year, and with a substantial NIL deal and notoriety more associated with NFL rookies than college freshmen. Mertz is the present. Lagway is the future. They will be rivals Saturday, with Mertz on the Blue Team and Lagway on the Orange Team.
REVAMPED STAFF
The Gators lost their final five games last season to finish 5-7, putting Napier at 11-14 after two seasons. Napier…
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