Former Florida QB Lagway Shoulders Blame for Struggles

Lagway's decision to play injured and his off-field choices contributed to his downfall at Florida.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:03am

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Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway has no one to blame but himself for his struggles with the Gators, according to columnist Kevin Brockway. Lagway chose to play through injuries during his sophomore season, prioritizing his lucrative NIL deal over his health. He also opted to take online courses and distance himself from the campus, despite being a high-profile player. Brockway argues that former Florida coach Billy Napier should have shut Lagway down for a redshirt year, but was hesitant to alienate the quarterback's family and jeopardize his own job status.

Why it matters

Lagway's tale highlights the challenges facing high-profile college athletes who must balance their health, academics, and personal brand. His struggles also raise questions about how programs manage injured star players and the pressures they face to perform.

The details

Lagway chose to play through groin and shoulder injuries during his sophomore season, despite being less than 100% healthy. His camp and former coach Billy Napier were accused of downplaying the severity of his injuries and providing misleading information to the public. Lagway's decision to prioritize his lucrative NIL deal and brand-building over his health ultimately backfired, as he struggled mightily on the field and Florida stumbled to a 4-8 record in 2025.

  • Lagway led Florida to a 6-1 record as a true freshman starter in 2024.
  • Ahead of the 2025 season, Lagway claimed he was fully healthy despite ongoing injury issues.
  • Lagway transferred to Baylor in January 2026 after his disastrous sophomore campaign at Florida.

The players

DJ Lagway

A former highly touted quarterback recruit who struggled with injuries and off-field choices during his two seasons at the University of Florida.

Billy Napier

The former head coach of the Florida Gators, who faced criticism for allowing the injured Lagway to play through the 2025 season.

Tramell Jones Jr.

A true freshman quarterback who competed with the injured Lagway for the starting job at Florida in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“When he came back, it was just the mental piece, learning what he did, learning from his mistakes, and that's what I came in to do. I came to learn from DJ and compete with him, make him better, and push myself also.”

— Tramell Jones Jr., Florida Quarterback

The takeaway

Lagway's struggles at Florida serve as a cautionary tale for high-profile college athletes who must balance their health, academics, and personal brand. His story highlights the need for programs to carefully manage injured star players and the pressures they face to perform.