Florida to start former Wisconsin quarterback, have DJ Lagway come off the bench

Florida head coach Billy Napier cleared the air on the Florida Gators’ quarterback situation on Monday.

While true freshman D.J. Lagway, the No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2024, turned heads with his 456-yard, three-touchdown output in Florida’s 45-7 Week 2 triumph over the Samford Bulldogs, Napier confirmed that former Wisconsin Badgers QB Graham Mertz will start upon his return from injury. Napier clarified that Lagway will also continue to see playing time.

“It’s a blessing to have two really good quarterbacks and certainly one with a ton of experience and one without,” Napier told reporters on Monday. “But there’s no doubt both of these guys will make us harder to defend. We intend to use both of them.”

On the surface, the news comes as somewhat of a surprise given the latest developments in Florida’s quarterback room.

Mertz started the Gators’ first contest of the season against the Miami Hurricanes but suffered a concussion in the third quarter of the bout. He finished with 91 passing yards and an interception, opening the window for Lagway to step in for his first action on the college stage.

Lagway showed flashes during the Gators’ blowout loss to Miami. He then followed that up with an eye-opening performance in the win over Samford.

The two quarterbacks bring different experience and skillsets to the table.

Mertz entered his sixth and final season of eligibility this fall after logging a career-high 261 completions, 2,903 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes with Florida in 2023.

Lagway, meanwhile, was named Mr. Texas Football before his 19th birthday in August. With a rocket for an arm and a 225-pound frame as a freshman, he has a much higher ceiling than the veteran. With Mertz, fans know what to expect.

Florida has yet to square off against No. 7

, No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Texas, No. 16 LSU and No. 5 Ole Miss this fall. Given Napier’s recent statement, expect to see both Mertz and Lagway slinging it for the Gators against an SEC schedule littered with juggernauts.