Florida needs to regain its momentum for a significant shakeup in 2025. As Billy Napier enters his fourth year, the outlook for his future in Gainesville appears uncertain. This follows a disappointing 8-5 season, which was salvaged somewhat by a four-game winning streak at the end. However, in 2025, Napier cannot afford another non-playoff year. With DJ Lagway, a talented freshman quarterback from Texas known for his powerful arm and impressive high school record, Florida has an opportunity to make a mark. Lagway could address many of the Gators’ lingering concerns, but he will need support from a strong receiver group to reach his full potential. Will the Gators’ receiving corps be able to give him the support he needs to excel?

Lagway is still healing from his shoulder injury. He didn’t throw in the spring. But that doesn’t let the coach down in his usual TED talks, nonetheless. Why would that be the case? After all, the Orange and Blue have found some glimmers in the receiver room in a marquee UCLA transfer. His elite athleticism and high-level performance turned heads in the spring trials. His track time in the Freshman All-American season in 2022 has been the major highlight of a storied resume. A 4.35-second 40-yard dash with a top speed of 23.2 MPH! Sick, right? That’s J. Michael Sturdivant for you, for the Gators, and most explicitly for Lagway.

“You have spring practice, and you hear all the great reviews around J. Michael Sturdivant, who transferred from UCLA to Florida to beat out Georgia to get his services, right? Dude like 6’3 216 breaking 22, I want to say, on the catapult,” ON3’s JD PicKell sang the praise of the wideout transfer to dish some comfort to the Gators’ offensive woes.

Florida coaches are highly impressed with Sturdivant’s combination of size and speed, which is a rare advantage that can instill fear in opposing defenses. Coach Napier views him as a significant vertical threat on the field. The team already includes veterans like Eugene Wilson III and Aidan Mizell, who have demonstrated proven excellence. Among the freshmen, Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III stand out. With the addition of Sturdivant, the team appears to have a well-rounded squad.

“That’s real deal fast speeding in most school zones for those that aren’t familiar. The bottom line is they love him, plus the freshman wide receivers. They didn’t need to go to the portal in the spring cycle to go add more talents.” PicKell continued, “So, the fact that they feel good about maximizing DJ Lagway with Sturdivant with those freshman wide receivers, that to me is an incredibly encouraging sign for 2025.”

Lagway’s pivotal role under the center, a bunch of playmakers, coupled with some big returnees on both lines of scrimmage, including All-American center Jake Slaughter and likely standout defensive tackle Banks Caleb, have already earned the Gators a top 10 rank in some preseason assumptions. The scale is getting higher with Lagway finding his potential backup in J. Michael Sturdivant.

But meanwhile, another menacing doubt is crippling behind the door? Will DJ Lagway be cleared to throw anytime soon?

Will DJ Lagway come back to the lore sooner than we think? 

Lagway has the potential, but what if it has remained untapped? His second year looks like a major gamble, as the QB is still not fit to hit the field. Recently, in a viral clip, Lagway was seen throwing a ball. But the analysts took it with a grain of salt. That SEC Podcast’s hosts, Mike and Shane, cast some serious doubts over Lagway’s availability in the season.

“It’s [what the quarterbacks do. I mean, there’s a real shot DJ doesn’t even play, Mike,” Shane said. “Have you seen the latest video with him?” Mike referred to that viral clip of Lagway throwing. Shane, however, remained unfazed, “I don’t care. I don’t. It’s just fake news.” Mike quickly added to the woes, “He’s throwing it. Yeah. Well, it looks kind of AI, but he’s throwing it.” Shane doubled down, saying. “Can’t trust anything these days, Mike. You know what I’m saying?”

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“He may not complete the season there. All it takes is one minor setback,” Shane continued. “That’s a very, very tough schedule, and I think they caught lightning in a bottle last year. And I feel like they fall a little bit back this next season.” 

Given how the entire Florida offense is looking to Lagway’s superman force working behind the mantle, it’s scary if his healing takes longer than anticipated and he struggles to revert to his form. The secondary forces will remain a joke if the main guy has been on the sidelines, watching the downfall of a projected legacy.