What do you think saved Billy Napier from losing his job in Florida? The Gators had been under pressure all season, with their QB dilemma adding to their misery. Fans wanted to boot their HC, but he has one of the heftiest CFB contracts, which made it an expensive move to fire him. And amidst the aggression, the news of him returning to The Swamp sent shockwaves throughout. But is it the heavy buyout that kept him?

According to Bud Elliott, the reason that Billy Napier is coming back to Florida is because of his prized freshman QB DJ Lagway. In the YouTube episode of Cover 3 Podcast on November 19, the CFB analyst said, “If Lagway had bounced after Florida fan or after Florida announced Billy’s coming back, immediate no. The reason you’re keeping Billy is Lagway.”

Many probably sighed or rolled their eyes when Florida announced that Billy Napier would be back in 2025. But DJ Lagway showed his enthusiasm at his coach’s return which backed up Pete Thamel’s report on November 7. The report read, “There’s a feeling in the program that star freshman QB DJ Lagway is aligned with Napier, and Napier can grow this core of young players.” How so?

If Florida were to fire Billy Napier whose contract runs through 2029, they would owe him $27 million for the buyout. But now that he’s staying, they’re implementing this buyout money to develop their players. An ESPN CFB insider said, “The money that you thought was gonna go to Billy Napier’s buyout is now going into your collective. You are going to build around DJ Lagway and you are going to actually give yourself a chance.” Why not invest in this freshman star who’s already turning heads in his few starts this season? 

DJ Lagway is Billy Napier’s knight

DJ Lagway is a force in Florida despite not getting enough starts initially. After missing the Texas game due to his hamstring injury against Georgia, he made an epic comeback in Week 12. He went 3-0 in his starts with the latest 27-16 win against LSU as underdogs. This season, he recorded 1,297 yards and seven TDs in nine games played. 

As talented as he is, Lagway is a loyal Napier follower. About two weeks ago, when Florida AD Scott Stricklin gave Billy Napier a “vote of confidence,” DJ Lagway showed how much the players respect their HC despite their low season. He said, “That was the whole vibe in the locker room: ‘We’re going to change this place, and we’re going to make it what it used to be.’” Ole Miss and Florida State will be their final challenges as they advanced 5-5 into the season. Can Lagway and co give the Gators fans more hope for the future and more faith in Billy Napier?