Spring football is here. But Florida’s biggest storyline isn’t about who’s throwing passes. It’s more to do with who isn’t. Their star QB DJ Lagway is being kept on a tight leash this spring. And the concern is only getting louder. Billy Napier didn’t shy away from addressing the situation in his pre-spring press conference as his 19-year-old quarterback is nursing an injured throwing shoulder and a hamstring injury. 

“I think our intentions here are to be very smart,” the HC said. “I do think he’ll be limited in throwing activities, but he’ll participate in all practices otherwise,” Napier continued about Lagway. This might seem like a precautionary strategy, but behind the scenes, the chatter is growing louder. 

In the March 13 episode of 247Sports, Cooper Petagna and Smoke Dixon didn’t hold back their concerns. For a QB as talented as DJ Lagway, 247Sports’ former No. 1 QB, every rep matters, especially heading into his second year in Gainesville. But his development is being put on hold and here’s where the worry sets in. “A shorter injury, like I said a lower extremity is as well,” Petagna said. “He’s in limbo, right? And if any part of the engine starts to break down a little bit, everything else around him could fall.” His co-host went even deeper into the matter. 

Dixon suggested that Billy Napier’s staff might not even have all the answers on DJ Lagway’s status. For the analyst, the sophomore QB has a lot to work on from footwork to throwing motion. “You know there’s a lot of things that he needs to change mechanically with his upper body,” he said. “With his lower body going from his toes to his fingertips, and understanding how to throw the b— with his lower body.” Well, his raw talent has never been in question.

DJ Lagway threw for 1,915 yards and 12 TDs last season in 12 of 13 games where he started in seven, going 6-1. He led all FBS true freshmen with a 154.9 passer rating. But mechanically, there’s work to be done and it’s not happening. As Dixon added, “So if you’re going into year 2, not getting that done again in the spring and again, it’s spring, season that starts tomorrow. You still have the summertime. But I am concerned… Just the growth he needs as a second-year QB is kinda being delayed.” And with spring practice underway and the Gators unable to put Lagway to work, the focus shifts to Plan B.

Harrison Bailey and the spring transfer portal

Billy Napier didn’t sit idle in the offseason. He brought in veteran QB Harrison Bailey. But is he the answer if DJ Lagway isn’t ready? He might have talent but his career has been anything but stable as a former Tennessee recruit who bounced around from UNLV to Louisville before landing in Gainesville. If he struggles this spring, Billy Napier may have no choice but to turn to the spring transfer portal in April. “If they don’t like what they see from Harrison Bailey maybe the Gators turn that way,” Dixon speculated. 

For now, Harrison Bailey has the HC’s praise. “I’ve been very impressed with Harrison just in the first few sessions,” Billy Napier said. “That was a big deal to get a guy who’s played in the SEC, who’s prepared as the backup or a starter for a long time.” Still, experience doesn’t always translate to success. If Bailey doesn’t prove himself, and if DJ Lagway’s health remains in question, Florida could be forced to take another dip in the transfer portal. 

All eyes are on Lagway’s recovery and Harrison Bailey’s spring performance. But if things don’t progress as expected, Florida might resort to the portal. Because if their QB1 isn’t ready, the Gators can’t afford to be caught unprepared.