While the Florida Gators may be deep into their offseason reset, the spotlight hasn’t drifted far from quarterback DJ Lagway. The five-star phenom and former top-10 recruit continues his recovery from a shoulder issue that kept him mostly sidelined through spring camp. In troubled waters, HC Billy Napier remains calm on the surface, offering the usual coach-speak. But there’s an underlying ripple building beneath Gainesville’s orange-and-blue waters. And that current might be pulling the Gators into a murky QB controversy—one that starts with a cryptic Instagram story and ends with a four-star recruit on the other side of a bitter in-state rivalry.

DJ Lagway lit a fire on social media when he posted a video of himself throwing a football, his first public action since being shut down late last season. Fans perked up. Analysts raised eyebrows. But not everyone bought what they were seeing. That SEC Podcast’s Mike and Shane didn’t mince words. “It’s [what] the quarterbacks does. I mean, there’s a real shot DJ doesn’t even play, Mike,” Shane said. “Have you seen the latest video with him?” Mike asked Shane.

Shane waved it off, “I don’t care. I don’t. It’s just fake news.” Mike quickly added, “He’s throwing it. Yeah. Well, it looks kind of AI, but he’s throwing it.” Shane jumped back in, but this time it wasn’t just dismissive; it was laced with skepticism. “Can’t trust anything these days, Mike. You know what I’m saying?”

“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.” While fans debated the legitimacy of the footage, the bigger picture came into focus. Florida’s entire offensive game plan hinges on whether DJ Lagway can return to form. If that Instagram video was a smokescreen, the Gators could be in trouble. But if it was real—Napier might be holding the ultimate poker hand.

For now, the official word from inside the building leans toward optimism. Billy Napier, ever the steady tactician, offered a carefully measured update after the team’s spring game. “DJ’s doing great,” Napier said. “He’ll start throwing here in a couple weeks. But, yeah, just in general, very positive there.” Notably, Lagway didn’t throw in any of the open sessions during spring camp and appeared for just four snaps in the Orange & Blue spring game—all of which were handoffs. That absence only fueled speculation, but it was consistent with Napier’s timeline.

Backing the coach’s comments, DJ Lagway’s father, Derek, told Gators Online that DJ is indeed throwing again—just behind closed doors. With the team on break until fall camp, private workouts are the only stage for now. But make no mistake, DJ’s arm is the storyline to watch in Gainesville. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, his blend of size, strength, and mobility makes him a prototype modern QB. When healthy, he can extend plays, hit deep shots, and command the RPO game with confidence. The problem? We just haven’t seen it at the college level yet.

But Billy Napier might be thinking one step ahead. While the Lagway circus takes center stage, Florida has quietly re-entered the recruitment war room in an attempt to flip a four-star QB currently leaning toward Florida State. It’s a bold move—and a telling one. Whether it’s a contingency plan or a strategic play to generate momentum, it signals that Napier isn’t just banking on DJ returning at full strength.

The quarterback room remains Lagway’s to lose. But the season looms, and so do the questions. Is the Instagram clip proof of his recovery or a carefully curated illusion? Did Billy Napier see something in private workouts that we haven’t? Or is this all part of a bigger smokescreen to mask roster vulnerabilities and secure another blue-chip insurance policy?

Florida turning up the heat on FSU commit

The recruiting battle in the Sunshine State is heating up, and the Florida Gators are making things real interesting. Florida is pushing hard to flip 2026 four-star athlete Darryon Williams away from their biggest in-state rival. Florida State—and this tug-of-war is officially on.

Williams, a standout at Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, committed to the Seminoles over a year ago. But according to On3’s Keith Niebuhr, the Gators aren’t backing down. They’re trying to lure the 5-foot-11, 165-pound playmaker into swapping garnet and gold for orange and blue. The visit schedule adds fuel to the fire: Williams has only locked in two official visits in June—one with FSU and the other with Florida on June 6. That date? Circle it in bold.

While Williams remains pledged to the Noles, On3 currently gives FSU just a 58.3% chance of keeping him. The Gators? They’re the biggest threat in this battle of I-75. Listed as an athlete by On3, Williams has been making waves primarily as an outside receiver and punt returner. He ranked seventh in his district in return yards last season, racking up 139 yards on just three kickoff returns—plus a bit more flash with 20 yards in punt returns. Has Napier found his next crucial safety net in this Sunshine State battle?