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Florida's Billy Napier Shares Optimistic Timeline for DJ Lagway's Shoulder Rehab

Lagway has been limited throughout the spring, and did not throw a pass at the team's spring game.

Dan Lyons

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks to throw before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks to throw before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. / Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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Expectations for Florida sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway are sky-high after the Texas native showed off his remarkable potential as a true freshman in 2024. That is, if he can get healthy in time for the 2025 season.

Lagway was limited by a shoulder injury that did not allow him to throw during spring football. He played a few snaps during Florida's spring game on April 12, but only handed the ball off.

Coach Billy Napier has maintained that he's optimistic about Lagway's progress, and on a Friday appearance on SiriusXM's SEC This Morning, said that he expects his star gunslinger ready for team activities in June.

“We have no concern. We’ve dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's,” Napier said. “We’ve been a little bit short-lipped, tight-lipped about it just in respect to the family and the way they want to handle it. But, in general, we have a really good plan. We’re working with exceptional people. And he'll begin throwing here in a couple weeks.

"So everything's on schedule, he's in a great place. And he's been able to practice, been able to stay connected with the team. ... We start OTAs in the first week in June and he'll be 100% by that point."

If things continue to progress for Lagway, that is excellent news for the Gators. Days ahead of the program's spring game, USA Today's Matt Hayes reported that Lagway's shoulder injury could require surgery, and that he is dealing with an additional lower body injury.

If Lagway is ready to throw in June, that would indicate that surgery is off the table, and that he should be good to go for Florida's season opener on Aug. 30 agaisnt LIU.

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Dan Lyons
DAN LYONS

Dan Lyons is a staff writer and editor on Sports Illustrated's Breaking and Trending News team. He joined SI for his second stint in November 2024 after a stint as a senior college football writer at Athlon Sports, and a previous run with SI spanning multiple years as a writer and editor. Outside of sports, you can find Dan at an indie concert venue or movie theater.

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