Gators’ DJ Lagway set to resume throwing in 2 weeks, Billy Napier says (2025)

GAINESVILLE — His postgame autograph line began in the south end zone of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and stretched seemingly to University Avenue. A long, winding road of humanity more suited to a Beatle than a banged-up quarterback.

Gators sophomore DJ Lagway signed for 45 solid minutes after Saturday’s annual Orange and Blue spring intrasquad game. “I was a little jealous,” coach Billy Napier said. “I had 40 or 50 in my line, and I can’t see the end of his line.”

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It was by far the most extensive work Lagway’s right hand would get Saturday. On a cloudless, crisp afternoon rife with signatures but bereft of spirals, Lagway remained mostly a bystander for the Blue in its 38-32 triumph against the Orange.

Which is to say, Florida’s 15th and final spring workout closely resembled the first: Lagway, still rehabbing shoulder and lower-body injuries stemming from last fall, limited to mostly mental reps and the occasional handoff. Saturday, he took five snaps for the Blue team and handed off all five times, one of which redshirt senior Ja’Kobi Jackson took for a 90-yard touchdown.

Yet afterward, Napier insisted his fringe Heisman candidate — coming off a breakthrough freshman season — is on pace to start the Aug. 30 season opener against Long Island University.

“DJ’s doing great,” Napier said. “He’ll start throwing here in a couple weeks. But yeah, just in general, very positive there. The lower-body stuff is good, and he’s kind of getting in position for the next step. But in general, there’s a lot of positives.”

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That sound bite arguably trumped any stat posted on a record-setting (at least by spring-game standards) afternoon before an audience of 56,563.

Jackson, operating behind a line featuring four of last season’s five starters, set an Orange and Blue record with 198 rushing yards (and three touchdowns) on only 10 carries.

“The (offensive) line did a great job (Saturday),” he said, “and it wasn’t really much I had to do but just run full-speed and run straight.”

Six-foot-4 journeyman transfer quarterback Harrison Bailey, starting for the Orange, finished 29 of 43 for a spring game-record 363 yards. And freshman Dallas Wilson — a Tampa Bay Tech alumnus — set an Orange and Blue mark for catches (10) and tied the record for receiving yards (195).

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Two went for touchdowns — of 19 and 20 yards — from Bailey.

“He made some plays, and not all those were routine,” Napier said. “I thought some of those were really impressive. He’s a big, physical player, you know? ... Like I told you guys before, these rankings are a little more accurate than they’ve ever been, and I’d say that’s what a five-star (recruit) looks like.”

Almost as encouraging as the five-star news flash regarding Lagway. Napier said he expects his quarterback will be at full strength when the Gators begin organized team activities in June.

Suddenly, optimism for 2025 seems as endless as that autograph line.

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“Everything is on schedule,” Napier said.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls

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