Florida’s fall camp was going to be the start of something new, one led by DJ Lagway, the five-star freshman who’s been the buzz in Gainesville ever since he arrived. At 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, the quarterback already demonstrated glimpses of greatness during the spring, and his playmaking and leadership potential had everyone thinking that this offense was ready to take a significant jump. But the joy turned to anxious chatter when Lagway was seen sporting a walking boot in early camp sessions. That’s not what Gator Nation desired to see out of their star QB with the season opener looming on the horizon.

Thankfully, the panic may have been premature. Reports say Lagway is dealing with a minor calf strain, and head coach Billy Napier told media he’s “making solid progress.” He’s not practicing fully yet, but he’s slowly ramping up activity. The expectation is that he’ll be ready in time for Week 1. Still, in a season where everything feels like it hinges on Lagway, any early scare is enough to get fans holding their breath.

But as soon as things calmed down on the Lagway front, another setback hit the Gators’ offense. True freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson, one of the most hyped newcomers in the class, suffered a lower-leg injury during fall camp. According to Gator Country’s Nick Marcinko, Wilson hasn’t practiced in two days and is currently in a hard cast below the knee.

The early expectation is that he’ll be sidelined for “a couple of weeks,” which thankfully rules out anything season-ending. Still, it’s a frustrating blow for a guy who had been climbing fast in camp. Standing at 6-foot-3, Wilson turned heads in the spring game and had been building visible chemistry with the quarterbacks, especially in red-zone reps.

His size and athleticism made him one of the early favorites to earn legit snaps this season, even as a freshman. With Florida’s WR room already juggling a handful of minor injuries, Wilson’s absence only adds more question marks to an already-thin group. The good news? His timeline suggests he could still return in time to play meaningful snaps early in the season if recovery stays on track. And while the medical updates offered a bit of relief, the fan reaction? That painted a whole different picture.

Gator Nation reacts to Dallas Wilson’s injury

It didn’t take long for Gator fans to flood X (formerly Twitter) with reactions, and it was a mix of hope and sarcasm. “Hopefully it’s nothing serious,” one fan wrote, echoing the seriousness of the situation many felt after the news broke. Others weren’t holding back: “Okay, we can stop training camp now,” and “Why can’t we ever have nice things?” captured the collective frustration of a fanbase that has seen too many promising offseasons derailed by injuries.

One comment that summed it up best might’ve been, “Move practice to Shands Hospital for this team.” It’s harsh, but it hits home; this isn’t the first camp where injuries have been the storyline. Another user added, “Damn. Was rooting afar for him. Hope it’s not too serious!” which is probably the most grounded sentiment from fans who know how valuable Wilson could be to the team’s future.

The takeaway? Gators fans have seen enough early camp injuries to get anxious in a hurry. But the overall sentiment still tilts toward optimism. Dallas Wilson’s injury is not long-term, Lagway’s on the mend, and they still have plenty of time before Week 1. Florida just needs to make it through August without further ado, and maybe bubble wrap Lagway for good measure while they’re at it.