It’s a whole different level of pressure when you’re a preseason hype hero only to under deliver. Just ask DJ Lagway or Texas’ Arch Manning too. The Gators QB was supposed to be the 5-star savior in Gainesville. Instead, three games into the season, you already see six interceptions, with five of them against LSU in a 20-10 loss. The problem isn’t just with the QB. His top target is still in rehab and Billy Napier knows his QB is swimming without a lifeboat. That’s why his latest injury report could be the spark Florida is waiting for. 

In his September 17 X post, Gators Online’s Zach Avolverdi shared Billy Napier’s update on freshman WR Dallas Wilson. “We anticipate him starting (practice) next week,” the Gators’ HC said. “Right now, I think he is dry land running.” This freshman torched Florida’s spring game but he hasn’t played a single snap this season after suffering a lower leg injury in August. The timeline of his return won’t help against No. 4 Miami on Saturday, but it may arrive just in time to salvage the Gators’ season.  

Think back to April’s spring showcase when Dallas Wilson stole the headlines with 10 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Six of those grabs went for 20-plus yards, accounting for more than half of Harrison Harrison Bailey’s passing production that day. Billy Napier didn’t mince words about him in August. “He’s a problem. He’s a problem,” he emphasized. “He’s exceptional. He’ll be a major factor this year. So, we’re excited about Dallas for sure.” The WR was an instant locker room believer. That’s why his absence has left a crater in this offense.

If Billy Napier’s timetable is right, Dallas Wilson’s return lines up perfectly with Florida’s bye week and their looming Oct. 4 clash against No. 8 Texas. That’s a potential turning point. If you can picture DJ Lagway, trying to silence critics, finally connecting with the explosive freshman under the Swamp’s primetime lights. It’s the kind of debut that could change the season’s narrative. Because the clock is ticking with the QB feeling the weight. 

DJ Lagway gets questioned about his interceptions 

While Dallas Wilson’s timeline is cautiously optimistic, DJ Lagway’s learning curve is anything but that. He has been erratic, already racking up 629 passing yards, five touchdowns, and a glaring six interceptions in just three games. His meltdown against LSU was nationally televised evidence of inexperience crashing into reality. ESPN’s David Pollack didn’t hold back on Greg McElroy’s Always College Football. “I’m watching him throw interceptions, and it’s not with pressure,” he said. “You look at USF, he wasn’t pressured hardly the whole game. Four of his five picks against LSU. Four of five, man. He wasn’t pressured.” 

That’s a hard hit for any young QB with mistakes you can’t chalk up to a collapsing pocket. For DJ Lagway, the turnovers are red flags waving on every drive. And another concerning part is that Billy Napier doesn’t have the luxury of patience. After an 8-5 campaign in 2024, he entered this season already on a lukewarm seat. Florida was ranked No. 15 to start the year but quickly slid out of the AP Top 25 with losses to USF and LSU. At 1-2, the Gators are staring down a gauntlet of ranked opponents featuring Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Florida State. 

As of now, Florida’s season hinges on two storylines colliding. Whether Dallas Wilson can get healthy fast enough to give DJ Lagway a lifeline, and whether the QB can cut the turnovers before Billy Napier’s critics sharpen the knives.