Florida Football’s Lagway Set To ‘Start Throwing In Couple Weeks’

DJ Lagway hasn’t thrown a single pass this spring, sparking speculation and a flurry of rumors among fans and media. However, the truth may have finally come out. The Gators are simply taking a cautious approach with their star quarterback.

The rising sophomore is expected to “start throwing in a couple weeks,” according to coach Billy Napier. Napier said that Lagway will be fully ready for camp and that everything is on schedule. “When we start OTAs in June, he’ll be 100%.”

Lagway played in the Orange and Blue Spring Game (five snaps), but just handed the ball off to his running backs. In spring practices, Lagway has also been seen running the ball. So, why hasn’t he thrown any passes and what is actually wrong with his arm?

Arm Speculation

The Gators haven’t provided any specifics regarding Lagway’s arm, creating many hypotheticals. Mark Long of The Associated Press claimed on 1010XL that “I’ve been told that Lagway needs to have shoulder surgery.” Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online said that Lagway is dealing with a shoulder injury and spent time in Jacksonville with Dr. Tom Gormely, “a distinguished leader in the sports performance and rehabilitation industry, recognized for his expertise in applied biomechanics, throwing development, and arm injury rehabilitation.”

But what if Lagway was simply not throwing for precautionary reasons? After all, the last thing Florida wants is for its star quarterback to get injured before the season even starts.

Sports Illustrated reporter Cam Parker said on a podcast “that it is not as concerning as people want it to be or as people are making it out to be.” Parker understands why people would want to hit the panic button because the team rides and dies on Lagway’s health. Parker said that “they are just playing it safe. There is no reason to risk injury for your star quarterback in Spring. There is not anything fishy (going on in Gainesville).”

Should Gator Fans be concerned about Dj Lagway Shoulder Injury?@camparker25 Doesn't think so, take a listen. pic.twitter.com/Yi7ssvDMhA

— Hightop Sports (@hightopsport) March 8, 2025

A video from Sports Illustrated reporter Dylan Olive shows Lagway going through the throwing motion, looking comfortable.

Pump faked! #Gators @GatorsIllust pic.twitter.com/xu9hauIXCh

— Dylan Olive (@DylanOlive_UF) April 12, 2025

“He’s frustrated obviously,” Napier said. “He wants to play, man. Nobody likes to play more than that guy.”

As a result of Lagway remaining out, players like Aidan Warner and Harrison Bailey have received more reps during the spring as they battle for the backup quarterback spot. Freshman Tramell Jones Jr. has even got some work in. In the Spring Game, Bailey set an Orange and Blue game record with 363 passing yards and three touchdowns on 29 completions. Warner completed 10 of 23 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.