The time has come for Gators freshman QB Lagway following Mertz's season-ending injury

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida football team experienced a plethora of disappointing moments against the Tennessee Volunteers. The Gators had bad play calls and questionable penalties in the biggest moments.

Saturday night's contest marked a critical point in Florida's season. While the loss and certain coaching decisions linger in the minds of many Gators fans, one question was more important: Who would quarterback Florida's roster for the remaining six games?

Florida faced various questions and speculations about its quarterback play during the 2024 season. Sixth year returnee Graham Mertz began the season as the Gators' primary quarterback, but after an injury in Florida's opening game, the job behind center became more unclear. Highly praised newcomer DJ Lagway began Week 2 against Samford and in every subsequent game, Florida relied on a combination of veteran and rookie.

After the Tennessee game, Florida's starting quarterback is now out of the question, but for an undesirable reason.

 

Thank you, Gator Nation 🐊 pic.twitter.com/8pKEbwaos6

— Graham Mertz (@GrahamMertz5) October 14, 2024

In the third quarter of UF's 23-17 overtime loss to the Vols, Mertz completed a touchdown pass to the redshirt-sophomore tight end Arlis Boardinghamgiving the Gators an inspiring 10-0 lead. After completing 11 of his 15 pass attempts against No. 8 Tennessee, Florida's veteran signal caller had a strong performance under the bright lights of Neyland Stadium. Gators fans were cautiously optimistic that their team could escape with a much-needed win heading into a challenging second half of the season that included matchups against No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia.

That hope faded when Mertz lay on the ground after the pass, clutching his left knee.

In an expected announcement, Florida's head coach said Billy Napier opened his press conference on Monday by declaring that Mertz would be out for the rest of the season due to a torn cruciate ligament. The conclusion of Mertz's college football career, while expected, has shaken the entire Florida football program.

Senior wide receiver Chimere Dike immediately after the game discussed the experienced quarterback's situation and described Mertz's role in detail.

“Our leader, you know,” Dike said, “a guy with a lot of experience and a big part of our team.”

 

Mertz took the field for the first time for Florida in 2023, after a checkered tenure at Wisconsin that included 26 interceptions over three years. He was immediately productive at UF, finishing 2023 with a 20-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While Florida is off to a disappointing start this season, Mertz has been largely the same as last year, finishing his last season with a 76.6% completion percentage.

But as Dike discovered, his on-field productivity wasn't his only value to the Gators. Napier reiterated the same message as Dike about the qualities that separated Mertz.

“I appreciate Graham and am grateful for everything he has brought to our team,” Napier said Monday. “Not just his performance on the field, but his influence on the entire team, his leadership, his work ethic, his example and his self-discipline.”

With Mertz no longer behind center for the Gators, it will now be Lagway, a fan favorite from Florida, who will lead Florida's offense.

Lagway has had his fair share of snaps for Florida this season, turning heads and filling in for Mertz when he was previously injured. After coming off the bench for a couple of drives against Miami, the Willis, Texas native experienced his first authentic moments as a Gator against Samford. Lagway delivered one of the most impressive performances as a freshman at UF, finishing with 456 passing yards and three touchdowns in early September. Lagway subsequently received more playing time, but the rookie experienced growing pains as the competition increased.

Against Tennessee, Lagway struggled at times with the Vols' vaunted defense pressuring him. Amidst the difficulties, there were also bright spots. After a crucial interception led to a game-winning field goal by the Vols, it looked like Florida would lose control of the contest, but Lagway stepped up and led a game-winning drive that ended with a 27-yard touchdown pass Dike finished.

Napier said Lagway's ability to play under pressure gave him confidence in Florida's offense, even after Mertz's departure.

“DJ has this innate ability to rise to the occasion and excel in big moments. I’m confident he will do that in this situation,” Napier said.

Part of what has allowed Lagway to navigate the SEC's difficulties relatively well can be attributed to his style of play. While Lagway struggles in the pocket, his mobility and sheer strength allow him to make plays beyond what a typical rookie can accomplish. This was particularly noticeable on the road against Tennessee, when his final touchdown throw came while he was running toward the line of scrimmage.

The talent Lagway brings to Florida's quarterback position, albeit raw, was emphasized by Napier when discussing the freshman.

“I think it’s obviously explosive arm talent. The ability to escape the running element, to expand,” Napier said.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw Dickson talked about how Lagway's mobility helps the offensive line, a group that has struggled at times this year.

“Being an elusive quarterback definitely helps the offense in every way because of his ability to run and throw the ball well. This is great,” Crenshaw-Dickson said.

While Lagway has played this season, his assumption of the starting quarterback position is crucial to Florida's season. With the Gators sitting at 3-3 at the midway point of the year, they have a challenge ahead of them the rest of the fall.

Lagway's first appearance since Mertz's season-ending injury will come against Kentucky, a team with a proven ability to control opposing offenses. The Wildcats rank third in the FBS in opponent yards allowed per game and held No. 5 Georgia and No. 19 Ole Miss to a combined 29 points. With a freshman quarterback lined up for his first SEC start at the line of scrimmage, UK's defense will likely look to speed things up and put pressure on the 19-year-old.

Napier still isn't afraid of Lagway's ability to get on the field against the threat of a defense like Kentucky's.

“I think he will be a lot more prepared after starting a game but also because he has played in every game this season,” Napier said.

After Florida's homecoming competition this week, Lagway will compete in Florida's second bye, with four consecutive ranking games coming up. The newcomer faces the best in the country and leaves The Swamp for back-to-back matchups against top-five teams.

With Lagway unexpectedly thrust into the SEC spotlight following Mertz's injury and a series of games ahead that would challenge any quarterback, Florida has plenty of reasons to wave the white flag. However, Florida's locker room doesn't see their situation that way. The Gators remain confident in what the freshman will bring to the fast-paced, challenging transition ahead.

“DJ is obviously a really skilled player and I know the guys believe in him and his work ethic, so I don't think that should be a problem,” Dike said.