GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Billy Napier gave fans a glimmer of hope during his press conference on Monday by stating that DJ Lagway may return.
“The good news is we’ve had positive information on that front,” Napier said. “That is the positive there. We do think that injury is less significant. We do think there’s a pathway for recovery and a return.”
Lagway injured himself after cutting and losing his footing with five minutes until halftime against Georgia. The Gators held a 10-3 lead when he departed, but the Florida offense lost its footing without Lagway down the stretch, and UF lost 34-20.
But while Lagway rehabs and may return from the hamstring injury he suffered on Saturday in Jacksonville in the second quarter, there is a reasonable chance Florida will need to turn to another signal caller as a temporary substitute. If that happens, “Aidan Warner” will be on the tip of everyone’s tongues in Gainesville.
Warner, a Winter Park, Fla., native and redshirt freshman, joined Florida in the spring as a walk-on but didn’t go through spring practice. He spent his first college season at Yale, seeing no playing time.
Because Warner didn’t participate during spring practices or summer workouts as the team’s other quarterbacks received reps, he didn’t have much of an opportunity to show his talent. Following senior Graham Mertz’s torn ACL on Oct. 12, Warner jumped to the second string and has impressed Florida coaches over the last three weeks.
“I would say he’s had some really good practices. I think there are some things to be encouraged about,” Napier said.
Lagway’s sudden removal on Saturday thrust Warner into the spotlight of the Florida-Georgia game, only having touched the field in an SEC game once this year prior. His first instance of extended playing time featured a variety of ups and downs.
The walk-on went 7-for-22 for 66 yards and an interception on Saturday, much due to the constant pressure of the Georgia defense. Warner led the Gators on two scoring drives: one for a field goal late in the first half and one for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. What UF fans may remember most, though, was his costly interception with three minutes left in the game.
“The good news is we’ve had positive information on that front,” Napier said. “That is the positive there. We do think that injury is less significant. We do think there’s a pathway for recovery and a return.”
Lagway injured himself after cutting and losing his footing with five minutes until halftime against Georgia. The Gators held a 10-3 lead when he departed, but the Florida offense lost its footing without Lagway down the stretch, and UF lost 34-20.
But while Lagway rehabs and may return from the hamstring injury he suffered on Saturday in Jacksonville in the second quarter, there is a reasonable chance Florida will need to turn to another signal caller as a temporary substitute. If that happens, “Aidan Warner” will be on the tip of everyone’s tongues in Gainesville.
Warner, a Winter Park, Fla., native and redshirt freshman, joined Florida in the spring as a walk-on but didn’t go through spring practice. He spent his first college season at Yale, seeing no playing time.
Because Warner didn’t participate during spring practices or summer workouts as the team’s other quarterbacks received reps, he didn’t have much of an opportunity to show his talent. Following senior Graham Mertz’s torn ACL on Oct. 12, Warner jumped to the second string and has impressed Florida coaches over the last three weeks.
“I would say he’s had some really good practices. I think there are some things to be encouraged about,” Napier said.
Lagway’s sudden removal on Saturday thrust Warner into the spotlight of the Florida-Georgia game, only having touched the field in an SEC game once this year prior. His first instance of extended playing time featured a variety of ups and downs.
The walk-on went 7-for-22 for 66 yards and an interception on Saturday, much due to the constant pressure of the Georgia defense. Warner led the Gators on two scoring drives: one for a field goal late in the first half and one for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. What UF fans may remember most, though, was his costly interception with three minutes left in the game.
Napier explained that he was still content with Warner’s performance against the No. 2-ranked team in the nation.
“Look, the kid did as good of job as he could do. There will be some plays that he would like to have back, but it’s a pretty big stage to…
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