Billy Napier must be having a deja vu moment. This time last year, calls had already started to blast at full volume, ‘FIRE NAPIER!’. The Florida head coach was responsible for a series of bad losses and poor decisions, and the crumbling down of one of college football’s most iconic brands. That’s when his quarterback, DJ Lagway, entered in shining armor as the savior. Fitting into Graham Mertz’s shoes, Lagway came off with flying colors as he went 18-25 with 456 yards and 3 touchdowns, crushing Samford to mere specks of dust. But in 2025, Lagway is yet to produce the kind of play that was expected. Napier, meanwhile, has got a return ticket to his hot seat.  

Injuries have been a major concern for Napier’s quarterback. “It’s been his arm, it’s been his shoulder, it’s been his hamstring, now it’s his calf. This is a guy that has yet to play a full season because he’s young, in addition to all these injuries,” CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello said. But what did SEC legend David Pollack have to say about the Gators QB? 

On the September 11th episode of the See Ball Get Ball podcast, the host came with a wake-up call for Napier’s squad. Pollack said,  “Here’s the thing that going back and watching Florida that really bothered me from a week ago…. Like DJ Lagway, had time to throw the football, Brent. But I see the same type of stuff that I saw a year ago.” In the Gators’ first two games of the season, it looked like Napier’s quarterback had regressed.

Turns out that Lagway still has not gotten rid of his 2024 loopholes. Same accuracy issues, same poor decisions with the ball, same reckless throws. Last season gave him a green pass, and he was forgiven since he was a freshman. Plus, Lagway was raw. But at the same time, he was a highlight reel. But this season those highlights are yet to show up. So, Pollack has some advice for Lagway,  “Now I see some greatness from him, but I see some misses, especially in that easy area that I’d like to see him clean up. I’d love to see him throw over the middle of the field more like and take some of that easy stuff and be able to take the check down to take the look.”

He gives special mention to Florida running back Trevor Etienne Ball, who comes off as a complete package. He went on to say that Lagway’s team must establish the run early, mix in designed runs for Lagway, and “cut it loose,” kicking any hesitation out of the door. Now that a big test awaits Napier and co. against LSU, here came another wake-up call for the quarterback.

DJ Lagway is off to a rough start

On September 2, an X user tweeted a screenshot of the quarterback’s profile on the ESPN page. “Derek Lagway had a 29 QBR vs FCS opponent LIU. Off-season lies will be addressed accordingly this season,” read the caption. Lagway’s measurements were mentioned along with his 2025 season stats: 120 yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. But what caught all the attention was his quarterback rating. It showed 29.8, which stands at the 104th rank. Now, where does that ranking come from?

During Lagway’s first feat of the season against the LIU Sharks, he was sacked on the Gators’ first play, which was followed by two errant passes that were too early. Week 2 only made things worse. The clock’s ticking for the Florida head coach who steps into his fourth season.

The narrative is back again, with Napier’s buyout standing at $22 million. But support came from an unlikely place. Rival head coach, Brian Kelly. With Napier’s hot seat debate picking up the buzz, the LSU head coach came up with some compassion. During his radio call-in show, he said, “Give that guy a break. He’s building a program. He’s the fourth coach there in the last 10 years.” DJ Lagway needs to show up or this will be Napier’s last season at The Swamp.