Florida football puts third-string QB on scholarship

USA Today

18-04-2025

Florida football puts third-string QB on scholarship
Florida quarterback Aidan Warner is now on scholarship, according to Swamp247.
A Yale transfer who joined the Gators as a walk-on during the 2024 offseason, Warner served as Florida's third-string quarterback a season ago. After Graham Mertz went down with a torn ACL, he moved into the backup role behind the true freshman DJ Lagway. An injury to Lagway during the Georgia game thrust Warner into the spotlight, but things didn't go so well in his first start against Texas.
Warner threw two interceptions against the Longhorns and completed 12 of 25 pass attempts for 132 yards. The Gators lost that game, 49-17, and Lagway returned the following week. Warner's only other appearances came in garbage time against Florida State, FCS Samford and Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl. His only score of the year was a rushing touchdown against Samford. He ended the season with 228 yards and three interceptions on 21-of-50 passing.
"I kind of got thrown in there, but that's the opportunity we ask for," Warner said after Florida's spring game. "That's the opportunity I want, so every day just coming back competing, trying to get better and step up when they need me."
Lagway's shoulder problems have lingered through the spring, opening the door for Warner to start in the Orange and Blue Game. He showed off the improvements made over his first offseason training with the Gators and helped the Blue Team take the win with 157 yards passing and two touchdowns with no turnovers.
"DJ being out, not throwing the ball gave me the opportunity to throw the ball every practice and take a lot of those first-team reps, throwing with those guys, like Vernell (Brown) and J-Mike (Sturdivant)," he said. "It's an opportunity that I'm super grateful for because, like you said, last year, it didn't go exactly how I would want it to, but this is an opportunity to get back on my feet and compete and get better."
Warner grew up a Gators fan and always dreamed of playing in The Swamp. He jumped on the opportunity to join the program after entering the transfer portal because of that childhood dream. Warner noted at the end of his spring game presser that he was "technically still a walk-on," and now his tuition is being paid for by the program.
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