To say Billy Napier is in a hot seat would still be an understatement. Lodging an underwhelming season and making it up with a last four-game winning streak (8-5) gave no brownie points. Adding to the insult, the Gator has seen a slew of departures, including seven draft picks. But let’s focus on the lone benefactor of the season, DJ Lagway. He capped off starting seven games in 2024 with a 6-1 record. As Joel Klatt pointed out, the only loss came when he left the game. So, Lagway is heading toward the new season with much weight on his shoulders. Can a new 6 ft 3 Gators transfer receiver be a little breathing room for Lagway?

Florida fans badly needed some veteran blood in the receiver room. They seem to have found it in transfer wideout J. Michael Sturdivant. After dual stints at California and UCLA, Sturdivant adds to stupendous athletic skills and a touch of experience in the 2025 Gators WR room. He racked up 315 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his final year with the Bruins. In three years, Sturdivant mounted a total of 2,303 yards under his belt. His leadership, the grit, and the ethics outshone his scoreboard legacy with all rights, nonetheless.

“[Heard], all the great reviews around J Michael Sturdivan, who transferred in from UCLA to Florida. Florida beat out Georgia to get his services. Dude is like 6’3 216, breaking 22. I want to say on the catapult, that’s a real deal,” On3’s J.D. Pickell voiced his stance over the new receiver phenom in the house. Sturdivant had a record of a 4.35-second 40-yard dash with a top speed of 23.2 mph in his Freshman All-American season. Imagine that translating to the NFL Combine in real time in some years!

“Fast speeding in most school zones for those. Bottom line is they love him… The fact that they feel good about maximizing DJ Lagway with Sturdivant with those freshmen wide receivers, that to me is an incredibly encouraging sign for 2025,” PicKell continued. He picked up on the fact that Florida did not look for new wide receivers any further after Sturdivant. And honestly, we all are now anticipating the explosive dual power of Lagway and Sturdivant in the offense.

The other talented receivers in the Gators’ roster include Eugene Wilson III, Dallas Wilson, and true freshman Naeshaun Montgomery. However, for the QB front, despite all the glimmers, Lagway’s injury woes remain a hiccup in the throat.

Florida’s success largely hinges on DJ Lagway’s tottering health 

Regarding Florida, Josh Pate zeroed in on a single factor: DJ Lagway’s health. He pinpointed that if Lagway can stick to the field, Florida can really live up to the hype of being a playoff contender. Lagway, however, is still rehabbing from his grave lower-body and shoulder injury that has kept him benched throughout the spring.

Many reports have suggested that a solid off-season rest and refraining from throwing for six months might help. A good healing can make him ready for the real war. There might be a surgery conversation as well. But USA Today’s Matt Hayes believes Lagway will be allowed to play the 2025 season. Then he can opt for surgery during the long off-season, again, given his health permits.

But if things don’t go according to plan and Lagway takes too much time to wrap up his rehabilitation, it might leave the Gators in serious jeopardy. “I think DJ Lagway should he be healthy—which has been a hot topic around this office, should he be healthy? I think Florida is one of those top 15 teams in college football…really do.” PicKell shared his thoughts. It remains to be seen how the big Lagway strategy pans out for Napier and the entire Gator Nation amidst the looming uncertainty.