The Florida Gators fans had entered into a dark tunnel in the 2024 season. Already, their HC Billy Napier has been in the hot seat. However, their 33-20 blowout loss to Texas A&M came as the nail in the coffin. They have made up their mind that firing Napier was the only choice to save the program from drowning. That’s when his buyout figures started to do rounds that was a whopping $26.7 million. 

However, the Gators did not get rid of Napier who is there for the 2025 season as well. And finally, fans can see some light at the end of the tunnel. No, not for Napier. But a new coach joins the Gators fam carrying a strong resume and an old connection. However, that does not lessen Napier’s woes as he gets a concerning update about his QB DJ Lagway. 

Hope is on the horizon for Billy Napier and Co.

‘A Season of Adversity’. If someone writes a book on Napier and the Gators’ 2024 season, they might opt for this title. They lost 8 games and could win only 5. The offensive line was unimpressive. The defense was as bad as you recall. They got humiliated by Miami with a 41-17 loss. Napier was already in danger of being the first UF football coach to suffer three consecutive losing seasons since Josh Cody in 1936-38. Forget three, Florida also lost six consecutive games. The problem is Florida players and fans had spent the previous eight months promoting the idea that the worst was behind them. Then came their 49-17 loss to Texas, 20-33 loss to Texas A&M, and so on. Now, finally, the Gators fan can breathe some fresh air other than smelling despair. 

On March 24, analyst Matt Zenitz reported, “Former Florida tight ends coach William Peagler is expected to rejoin the Gators staff, sources tell @cbssportscfb / @247sports.” Now why this must leave the Florida fans happy dancing? Well, William Peagler is a familiar face for Napier’s tribe signaling a move that could add some experience and versatility to the program. Back in 2022, he served as the Gators’ tight ends coach. Now that we are yet to receive the confirmation about Peagler’s role, it’s evident that the move has been in motion behind the scenes. However, what role he can fit in if not as the tight ends coach?

Well, Napier’s fam already has Russ Callaway as co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. In that case, Peagler might fit into the role of an analyst or any off-field position. However, his carrying a rich reserve of experience might be too tough for Napier to resist. Peagler’s recent stint was in the pro league with the Arizona Cardinals, where he assisted with the defensive line. Before that, he was at Florida and Michigan State. Back at the Spartans squad, he coached Kenneth Walker during his All-American season in 2021. In that way, Peagler has some kind of idea on how to bring Napier’s boys back to action. While this must be news of respite, when was life so easy for the Gators HC? Here again, the good news is followed by a serious concern.

A big reality check for Billy Napier as DJ Lagway’s spark is fading away 

While Napier’s QB DJ Lagway should have hit the accelerator, he has pulled the handbrake. The true freshman endured an up-and-down campaign, starting as a backup to Graham Mertz. But soon he turned into a messiah bringing in some hope for Napier’s squad. He electrified the crowd with big plays. Lagway turned The Swamp into his personal playground, passing for a UF true freshman record 456 yards and 3 TDs during UF’s 45-7 win over Samford.

The rookie shined brighter than most could even dream ending his first full game with more than 450 passing yards and three touchdowns. With this, ESPN ranked him fifth among all true freshmen through Week 2. So, it was obvious that the ceiling was high for Napier’s QB. That’s when 247Sports analyst Zach Goodall chose to land a reality check. He started with a disclaimer on the 247Sports podcast, “I’m sorry for giving you guys a scare. But don’t shoot the messenger!” He then let out the bitter truth. 

“We’re through four practices that the media has gotten to see of the five that have been held so far. DJ Lagway has not thrown a pass in front of us. He’s simulated his footwork… doing handoffs and some other light work. But they’re not letting him show off his arm. The arm that has gotten him so much hype going into this season and obviously last year.” DJ Lagway’s arm strength even was compared to Green Bay Packers rising star quarterback Jordan Love. Along with Billy Napier’s QB losing his magical power, injuries are a major concern. No matter how the HC tries to tag them as “less significant,” we have yet to figure that out. Now will Lagway be Napier’s new headache?