Florida Gators 2025 Position Preview: Quarterbacks
There are fewer than 50 days until the Florida Gators kick off their 2025 college football season. Florida is coming off an 8-5 season last year, finishing on a four-game winning streak.
Advertisement
Now, with head coach Billy Napier heading into his fourth year in Gainesville, the Florida faithful are expecting big things from the Gators, including hopes of a College Football Playoff birth.
This quest for postseason glory starts at the quarterback position. While there is not much doubt about who the starter will be, as there is no battle for the top of the depth chart, the way the rest of Florida's quarterbacks shape out will be very interesting to watch.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aidan Warner (16) and Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) smile after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images© Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Star sophomore DJ Lagway is the undisputed starter at the signal-caller position for the Gators this fall. After taking over for an injured Graham Mertz last year, Lagway shined for quarterbacks coach Ryan O'Hara and Florida.
Advertisement
Lagway was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback in the country coming out of Willis High School in Texas prior to his freshman year, per 247Sports. In 2024, Lagway completed 59.9% of his passes for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions. These impressive numbers led to a selection on the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team.
Coming off a shoulder injury that kept him from throwing during Florida's spring game, Lagway will look to improve his 6-1 record as a starter in 2025.
After Lagway at the top of the depth chart, there are questions about who will be the Gators' backup. The battle for the No. 2 spot will be between graduate transfer Harrison Bailey and redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner.
Bailey comes to Florida after stops with Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville. In his career, the Marietta, Georgia, native has completed 108 of his 171 passes for 1,190 yards and 10 scores with three interceptions. Bailey played in five games last year with the Cardinals, including a start in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, in which he threw for 164 yards and three touchdowns.
Advertisement
Warner was Florida's third-string going into 2024 after transferring from Yale, but injuries to Mertz and Lagway gave him opportunities to play in six games, including making a start against the Texas Longhorns. Warner completed 42% of his passes for 228 yards and three interceptions without a touchdown in those appearances.
Based on experience and the way the two competed during spring practices, it seems like Bailey is leaning toward becoming Lagway's backup, but only time will tell.
With the future of Florida's football program lying in the hands of Lagway, there are lots of expectations for the sophomore and this position group going into 2025.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mike Trout homers for 1,00th career RBI (19)
Mike Trout drives a two-run home run to center field, picking up his 1,00th career RBI and passing Joe Carter for 62nd on the all-time list
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dave Parker's son shares memories of his father during Baseball Hall of Fame speech
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes five new members on Sunday, July 27, with Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dave Parker and Dick Allen set to be inducted in Cooperstown, New York. Suzuki becomes the Hall of Fame's first Japanese player – assembling a 19-year MLB career after nine decorated professional seasons in Japan – and was just one vote shy of a unanimous election. Sabathia also got in on the first ballot after winning 261 games as one of the best starting pitchers of the new millennium. Wagner ranks eighth on the all-time saves list with 422, while Allen (1972) and Parker (1978) were MVP award winners. Baseball greats remember Dave Parker: 'More respect for Dave Parker than anybody' More: Here's one way the Cincinnati Reds are honoring Hall of Famer Dave Parker An enormous crowd showed for the festivities with Suzuki a fan favorite on both sides of the Pacific and Cooperstown a four-hour drive from Yankee Stadium, where Sabathia pitched 11 seasons. Dave Parker's son shares memories of his father Pirates' legend Dave Parker passed away less than a month away from his induction ceremony, making his son's speech hit that much harder as it happened. Dave Parker II even mentioned that he died while writing his Hall of Fame speech. Parker II finished his speech with a poem written by his father, noting that it was specifically his father's request that it be read during the acceptance speech. The poem was a good conclusion, with Parker posthumously praising himself for his "rocket arm" and willingness to "run any catcher over." The best moment of the poem though was the finale. After mentioning that Cooperstown would be his last stop, Parker wrote, "I didn't lie in my documentary, I told you I wouldn't show [to my acceptance speech]." Considering Parker's recent death, this line hit infinitely harder. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baseball Hall of Fame induction 2025: Dave Parker's son gives speech
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mitchell's 35 points lift Fever over Sky 93-78; Clark and Reese sit out
CHICAGO (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell hit seven 3-pointers and scored 35 points and the Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 93-78 in a marquee matchup on Sunday that was missing stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Clark missed her fourth-straight game for Indiana with a groin injury and has only played in half of the team's games and Reese was out for her second straight for the Sky with a back issue. Aliyah Boston had 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Fever (14-12), who have three double-figure wins over Chicago this season. Makayla Timpson had 14 points off the bench and Aari McDonald added 10. Mitchell had her 100th career 20-point game, second in franchise history behind Tamika Catchings, and her ninth 30-point game. She also picked up her 200th career steal and the Fever turned 23 turnovers into 31 points. Rachel Banham had six 3s and 26 points for the Sky (7-18). Kia Nurse added 14 points, Rebecca Allen 13 and Kamilla Cardoso 12 with 12 rebounds. The Fever had a 16 point lead early in the fourth quarter cut to six with less than five minutes to go but Mitchell responded with a 3-pointer and a couple of free throws to end the threat. Indiana closed out the first quarter on an 18-2 run to lead 26-13. Mitchell had 13 points and the Fever had 14 points off nine Chicago turnovers. The lead reached 16 points in the second quarter before the half ended at 51-39. Chicago got off to a quick start in the third quarter, pulling within 56-55 at the midway point on consecutive jumpers by Nurse. Mitchell responded with a 3 and a layup before consecutive baskets by Timpson pushed the lead to 65-55. Lexie Hull's buzzer beater made it 75-61 entering the fourth quarter. ___ AP WNBA: