Big Crisis Awaits Billy Napier After Latest DJ Lagway Revelation as Deshawn Purdie Finds New Home

By now, Billy Napier is no stranger to the quarterback dilemma in Florida. After a series of QB shifts between DJ Lagway, Graham Mertz, and Aidan Warner in the regular season, the Gators seemed to have turned a corner after former three-star recruit and Charlotte transfer Deshawn Purdie committed to them. However, less than a month later quarterback dealt a blow to Florida after announcing his decision to withdraw his commitment and re-enter the portal.

Florida’s campaign had a stuttering start underlined by injuries to Mertz and DJ Lagway that forced Warner to take up the mantle as the interim starting quarterback. Napier was able to turn around the campaign as they finished with three consecutive wins to secure a place in the Gasparilla Bowl. With Napier’s return for next season already confirmed, he will be looking to improve on the 4-4 SEC record, but Purdie’s departure gives him more of the same headaches.

Apart from Purdie leaving, Graham Mertz, who was the Gators’ QB1 in 2024 has declared for the NFL Draft. This means Napier is under pressure to build a strong QB room and also find a backup for DJ Lagway. Brandon Olsen, in his ‘Locked on Gators’ show on January 17, delivered a challenging outlook for Florida’s quarterback position.

“You’re not getting a 2024 blue-chip and you’re not getting a starter quality backup because they’re not going to come here and back up DJ Lagway for the next two years minimum,” he said.

A stinging remark, but it’s a reality check. Deshawn Purdie joined the Gators on December 22 with three years of eligibility remaining. Napier and Co. identified him as their big-arm option as their backup QB for 2025. After the struggles of Warner, it was clear that Florida needed to add depth in quality in that area.

Purdie threw for 1,800 yards and ten touchdowns in 2024 after taking over for former Gator Max Brown mid-season at UNC Charlotte. His commitment gave Billy Napier’s team a sense of comfort and security, but Purdie saw his future as a starter. But that was always going to be a difficult proposition.  

During the 2024 season, Lagway started seven games putting up a 6-1 record. He threw for 1,915 yards and completed 115 of 192 pass attempts (59.9%). He has 12 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is Florida’s football future and Napier sees it well enough.

So when the realization, that he would be serving as a backup to DJ Lagway dawned on him, Purdie re-entered the portal on January 13 before finding a new home in Wake Forest four days later. But this leaves Napier thin on quality options.

Olsen added, “That backfired. So, at this point in the portal game, you’re not getting a good backup quarterback. I don’t think they exist right now for Florida situation.” 

Last year, Lagway suffered a hamstring injury against Georgia and subsequently missed the game against Texas. He returned to inspire the Gators in an upset win over LSU at The Swamp. He will likely be the preferred QB for Napier next season, but they will need adequate backup to improve things further.

Right now, the Gators have two scholarship quarterbacks for the 2025 season apart from starter DJ Lagway. Four-star signee Tramell Jones Jr., and third-stringer Clay Millen remain on the roster, while Lagway’s backup from last season in walk-on Aidan Warner is also available. But if no further additions are made, the Gators risk once again being left behind.

However, it seems they are not sitting idle, but poking around to bolster their quarterback position.

Billy Napier in hot pursuit of Harrison Bailey 

Billy Napier has to settle for one of the remaining QBs in the portal. And Florida’s already got their target locked on Harrison Bailey. On3 reported that the Louisville transfer worked out for the Florida coaching staff on January 16, and it has a good prognosis. Both Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos are leading with the expectation that the Gators will win the former 4-star 2020 prospect. 

This past season wasn’t a productive one for Harrison Bailey. He only played in five games behind QB Tyler Shough. But he got his first start in the Cardinals’ final Sun Bowl game against Washington. He led his team to a win by throwing for 164 passing yards and three touchdowns before announcing his transfer decision. On3 ranks Bailey as the No. 131 QB in their Transfer Portal Industry Rankings.

Bailey began his career with the Tennessee Volunteers and spent two years with them, playing in seven games. He threw for 594 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. In 2022, he joined UNLV throwing for 318 yards and two touchdowns in six games, before rejoining the portal and eventually ending up with the Cardinals. He will bring much-needed experience to Florida but will have to be content with being a backup to DJ Lagway.

If Billy Napier is able to win the commitment of Harrison Bailey, it’s a big win for Florida. After all, they already have a starter who’s expected to make a big impact in 2025.