Latest news with #Lagway
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lagway among college football's top-tier QBs, per The Athletic
Expectations are high for Florida quarterback DJ Lagway as he enters his sophomore season, but could the Gators really have one of the best signal callers in all of college football? The Athletic's Grace Raynor may have answered that question while seeking clarification on her greater concern, whether the SEC features the best quarterbacks in the sport or not. A tier list of the nation's quarterbacks released earlier in the month prompted Raynor's deep dive. The SEC has five Tier 1 quarterbacks, more than double the number of those in the ACC and Big 12 conferences. An ACC quarterback, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, tops the list, but four SEC quarterbacks follow, finishing with Lagway at No. 5. Arch Manning is separated from the rest of the pack at No. 10, but he's still considered a Tier 1 quarterback. It's a blowout win for the SEC, but everyone has to live up to those expectations. Raynor poses the question: "Can 5-star recruits turn potential into reality?" Two of the highest-profile names at the position haven't played all that much. Lagway started just seven games last year, and Manning is finally set to take over the Texas offense after spending two years as Quinn Ewers' backup. If both live up to the hype, they could battle for a Heisman at some point. "Lagway, who flashed immense potential in an inconsistent debut season, may have coach Billy Napier's fate in his hands," she adds. The other Tier 1 quarterbacks on The Athletic's list are already proven. Arkansas and LSU are returning Heisman-caliber starters in Garret Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers, respectively. Oklahoma picked up John Mateer, who wowed everyone at Washington State as a dual threat. "(Lagway) started the second half of the season, and though he made his share of freshman mistakes, he showed why he was so highly regarded, capping the year with a 300-yard performance and bowl game MVP honors," reads the tier list report from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales. "He displayed elite arm talent, good mobility and poise beyond that of a typical true freshman. His size and strength helped him keep plays alive. With Lagway behind center, the future is bright in Gainesville." Yes, Lagway is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the game, but there's an asterisk next to that distinction that the Nussmeier and Sellers types don't have. A lower-body injury could slow his start, and public opinion moves fast. A lot is riding on Lagway's performance this year, but most seem to believe that he'll live up to the task. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football DJ Lagway, SEC QBs on The Athletic tier list
NBC Sports
19 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Florida QB DJ Lagway sidelined to open fall camp with a calf strain
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will open fall camp in the same spot he spent spring practice — watching from the sidelines. Lagway is dealing with a calf strain and wearing a walking boot, and coach Billy Napier offered no timetable on his star player's return. It's the latest injury issue for the highly touted sophomore who missed spring with a shoulder injury after undergoing sports hernia surgery. 'It's not ideal,' Napier said Wednesday. 'In the perfect world, he would be perfect every day of the offseason. I think the good thing is his attitude toward it. I think that's a positive. ... He's in Year 2, I think he understands what's required to be ready. It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready.' The Gators open training camp Wednesday. And Napier, unlike in previous years, closed viewing periods to media for the first three days. Lagway, who went 6-1 in seven starts as a freshman in 2024, is widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender heading into this season. But he's barely been on the field at a time when he could be making significant strides. He was limited during spring practice because of a right shoulder injury that could eventually need surgery. He resumed throwing in late April and said earlier this month at Southeastern Conference media days he would fully participate in camp. But then he strained a calf muscle last week. 'Injuries are one of the terrible things about the profession and certainly for him being a Year 2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy,' Napier said. 'I think he's done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He's still walking the halls. He's still able to be a factor in that regard. 'But he's still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he'll be just fine. He's had a great attitude toward it, and we've got to help him manage expectations a little bit as well.' Lagway completed 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024. He took over the starting role after Graham Mertz tore a knee ligament at Tennessee in October. Without Lagway now, journeyman Harrison Bailey is expected to get most of the first-team snaps. Bailey played at Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville before transferring to Florida earlier this year. For Lagway, the calf injury is the latest in a growing list of setbacks over the last three years. The Willis, Texas, native injured his right foot during the Under Armour All-American Game in January 2024 and missed parts of training camp last fall because of shoulder soreness. Lagway also strained his left hamstring against Georgia last year and missed the following week's game at Texas. He returned down the stretch and helped the Gators win their final four games. 'The sky's the limit for that kid,' teammate and defensive end Tyreak Sapp said. 'That kid is not just blessed with a lot of ability; the kid is skilled. He practices what he preaches, and he comes in everyday and works hard, regardless of what it is. ... It's going to be super exciting to see what he does. 'I think those (injuries) happen. Obviously, it's unfortunate. We do our best to keep DJ healthy and keep DJ going. I know DJ's going to be able to show out and be himself — and be the best version of himself.'
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lagway among college football's top-tier QBs, per The Athletic
Expectations are high for Florida quarterback DJ Lagway as he enters his sophomore season, but could the Gators really have one of the best signal callers in all of college football? The Athletic's Grace Raynor may have answered that question while seeking clarification on her greater concern, whether the SEC features the best quarterbacks in the sport or not. A tier list of the nation's quarterbacks released earlier in the month prompted Raynor's deep dive. The SEC has five Tier 1 quarterbacks, more than double the number of those in the ACC and Big 12 conferences. An ACC quarterback, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, tops the list, but four SEC quarterbacks follow, finishing with Lagway at No. 5. Arch Manning is separated from the rest of the pack at No. 10, but he's still considered a Tier 1 quarterback. It's a blowout win for the SEC, but everyone has to live up to those expectations. Raynor poses the question: "Can 5-star recruits turn potential into reality?" Two of the highest-profile names at the position haven't played all that much. Lagway started just seven games last year, and Manning is finally set to take over the Texas offense after spending two years as Quinn Ewers' backup. If both live up to the hype, they could battle for a Heisman at some point. "Lagway, who flashed immense potential in an inconsistent debut season, may have coach Billy Napier's fate in his hands," she adds. The other Tier 1 quarterbacks on The Athletic's list are already proven. Arkansas and LSU are returning Heisman-caliber starters in Garret Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers, respectively. Oklahoma picked up John Mateer, who wowed everyone at Washington State as a dual threat. "(Lagway) started the second half of the season, and though he made his share of freshman mistakes, he showed why he was so highly regarded, capping the year with a 300-yard performance and bowl game MVP honors," reads the tier list report from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales. "He displayed elite arm talent, good mobility and poise beyond that of a typical true freshman. His size and strength helped him keep plays alive. With Lagway behind center, the future is bright in Gainesville." Yes, Lagway is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the game, but there's an asterisk next to that distinction that the Nussmeier and Sellers types don't have. A lower-body injury could slow his start, and public opinion moves fast. A lot is riding on Lagway's performance this year, but most seem to believe that he'll live up to the task. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Florida QB DJ Lagway sidelined to open fall camp, with his latest injury being a calf strain
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will open fall camp in the same spot he spent spring practice — watching from the sidelines. HT Image Lagway is dealing with a calf strain and wearing a walking boot, and coach Billy Napier offered no timetable on his star player's return. It's the latest injury issue for the highly touted sophomore who missed spring with a shoulder injury after undergoing sports hernia surgery. 'It's not ideal," Napier said Wednesday. 'In the perfect world, he would be perfect every day of the offseason. I think the good thing is his attitude toward it. I think that's a positive. ... He's in Year 2, I think he understands what's required to be ready. It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready.' The Gators open training camp Wednesday. And Napier, unlike in previous years, closed viewing periods to media for the first three days. Lagway, who went 6-1 in seven starts as a freshman in 2024, is widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender heading into this season. But he's barely been on the field at a time when he could be making significant strides. He was limited during spring practice because of a right shoulder injury that could eventually need surgery. He resumed throwing in late April and said earlier this month at Southeastern Conference media days he would fully participate in camp. But then he strained a calf muscle last week. 'Injuries are one of the terrible things about the profession and certainly for him being a Year 2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy," Napier said. "I think he's done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He's still walking the halls. He's still able to be a factor in that regard. 'But he's still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he'll be just fine. He's had a great attitude toward it, and we've got to help him manage expectations a little bit as well.' Lagway completed 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024. He took over the starting role after Graham Mertz tore a knee ligament at Tennessee in October. Without Lagway now, journeyman Harrison Bailey is expected to get most of the first-team snaps. Bailey played at Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville before transferring to Florida earlier this year. For Lagway, the calf injury is the latest in a growing list of setbacks over the last three years. The Willis, Texas, native injured his right foot during the Under Armour All-American Game in January 2024 and missed parts of training camp last fall because of shoulder soreness. Lagway also strained his left hamstring against Georgia last year and missed the following week's game at Texas. He returned down the stretch and helped the Gators win their final four games. 'The sky's the limit for that kid,' teammate and defensive end Tyreak Sapp said. "That kid is not just blessed with a lot of ability; the kid is skilled. He practices what he preaches, and he comes in everyday and works hard, regardless of what it is. ... It's going to be super exciting to see what he does. 'I think those (injuries) happen. Obviously, it's unfortunate. We do our best to keep DJ healthy and keep DJ going. I know DJ's going to be able to show out and be himself — and be the best version of himself.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
Fox Sports
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Florida QB DJ Lagway sidelined to open fall camp, with his latest injury being a calf strain
Associated Press GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will open fall camp in the same spot he spent spring practice — watching from the sidelines. Lagway is dealing with a calf strain and wearing a walking boot, and coach Billy Napier offered no timetable on his star player's return. It's the latest injury issue for the highly touted sophomore who missed spring with a shoulder injury after undergoing sports hernia surgery. 'It's not ideal," Napier said Wednesday. 'In the perfect world, he would be perfect every day of the offseason. I think the good thing is his attitude toward it. I think that's a positive. ... He's in Year 2, I think he understands what's required to be ready. It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready.' The Gators open training camp Wednesday. And Napier, unlike in previous years, closed viewing periods to media for the first three days. Lagway, who went 6-1 in seven starts as a freshman in 2024, is widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender heading into this season. But he's barely been on the field at a time when he could be making significant strides. He was limited during spring practice because of a right shoulder injury that could eventually need surgery. He resumed throwing in late April and said earlier this month at Southeastern Conference media days he would fully participate in camp. But then he strained a calf muscle last week. 'Injuries are one of the terrible things about the profession and certainly for him being a Year 2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy," Napier said. "I think he's done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He's still walking the halls. He's still able to be a factor in that regard. 'But he's still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he'll be just fine. He's had a great attitude toward it, and we've got to help him manage expectations a little bit as well.' Lagway completed 60% of his passes for 1,915 yards, with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024. He took over the starting role after Graham Mertz tore a knee ligament at Tennessee in October. Without Lagway now, journeyman Harrison Bailey is expected to get most of the first-team snaps. Bailey played at Tennessee, UNLV and Louisville before transferring to Florida earlier this year. For Lagway, the calf injury is the latest in a growing list of setbacks over the last three years. The Willis, Texas, native injured his right foot during the Under Armour All-American Game in January 2024 and missed parts of training camp last fall because of shoulder soreness. Lagway also strained his left hamstring against Georgia last year and missed the following week's game at Texas. He returned down the stretch and helped the Gators win their final four games. 'The sky's the limit for that kid,' teammate and defensive end Tyreak Sapp said. "That kid is not just blessed with a lot of ability; the kid is skilled. He practices what he preaches, and he comes in everyday and works hard, regardless of what it is. ... It's going to be super exciting to see what he does. 'I think those (injuries) happen. Obviously, it's unfortunate. We do our best to keep DJ healthy and keep DJ going. I know DJ's going to be able to show out and be himself — and be the best version of himself.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and recommended Item 1 of 3
