It was back in Week 10 when the Florida Gators led 10-3 over the Georgia Bulldogs. It was back in Week 10 when star true freshman QB DJ Lagway went down with a non-contact injury that looked quite serious.
But it was Week 11 when Lagway surprised some by being listed as questionable for Florida’s game against the Texas Longhorns. So, is he playing, how effective can he be, and in what capacity should we see him vs. the Longhorns?
Is DJ Lagway Playing Today vs. Texas?
There was serious concern over the long-term health of Lagway’s hamstring after he returned to the sidelines against Georgia sporting street clothes and crutches. However, after the game, it was viewed as to not be as serious as originally thought of.
Florida head coach Billy Napier said on Tuesday that it wasn’t as severe as they had anticipated and didn’t rule out Lagway against Texas.
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Now, on Saturday, the game-time decision appears to have been made as the Gators said they would ‘play Lagway in a limited’ capacity against the Longhorns.
Listed as a game-time decision, Lagway was never expected to play a significant role in the Gators’ action against Texas.
So, a week after seeing him carted off the field, why even play him at all if he’s not expected to contribute heavily?
Is it a smoke screen for Texas? Will he actually play at all? What kind of game plan will he see?
There are some serious mixed feelings about whether or not they should play him in general, but given the nature of how this situation has been presented nearing kickoff, it’s clear that there has to be some tactic behind Lagway’s status.
What that is, however, remains a mystery still.
What Happened to DJ Lagway?
On 1st & 10 from their own 25-yard line, Lagway and the Gators were looking to take a potential two-score lead over Georgia. Lagway took a delayed QB carry up the middle, popped it out to his left side, and appeared to slip on the turf as he went to turn the carry upfield.
It was a non-contact injury and the closer replay showed his leg buckling as the turf came up under his foot. His left leg slid on the ground as he went to play upfield and he immediately clutched his left hamstring.
DJ Lagway is down… pic.twitter.com/TGYLdJwxH9
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 2, 2024
After a lengthy time on the field, Lagway got up and was helped to a waiting cart to be taken off the field.
The Gators already lost Mertz to a torn ACL, and Lagway’s injury now leaves Yale transfer Aidan Warner as the next one in line for Florida. Warner was a three-star recruit from Winter Park High School in the class of 2023, transferring into Gainesville following just one season with the Bulldogs.
Warner finished the game 7-of-22 for 66 yards and an interception.
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“He’s a tough kid,” Napier said on the ESPN broadcast. “Look, I can promise you one thing, this team will rally behind him for sure.”
His presence on the offense gives the Gators a chance against the Longhorns, given how the game played out with him in the lineup vs. how they fared when he was not in the lineup.
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