FSU football rival Florida Gators football gets bad quarterback news

News worth keeping an eye on out of Gainesville.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier looks on during spring football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 6, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun] | Matt Pendleton / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The majority of college football teams around the country have already kicked off preseason camp or are set to do so in the coming days. That includes the Florida State Seminoles, with the team set to hit the field on Wednesday, July 30.

The Seminoles went 0-3 against their rivals in 2024, falling short against the Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes, and Clemson Tigers. A year after defeating all three teams, Florida State dropped off in improbable fashion.

READ MORE: Washington Commanders cut former Florida State Seminoles football standout

Florida surprised pundits last season, finishing 8-5 despite facing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Gators were powered by true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, a former five-star prospect who stepped in as the starter when Graham Mertz went down with a season-ending injury.

Lagway appeared in 12 games, completing 115/192 passes for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions while rushing 51 times for 101 yards. He went 6-1 as a starter, including leading the Gators to a 31-11 victory against Florida State.

The Texas native did get banged up last season, suffering hamstring and shoulder injuries. Florida shut Lagway down from throwing during the spring as he recovered from his first year in Gainesville.

Going into fall camp, Lagway is already dealing with a slight setback. According to On3's Zach Abolverdi, the sophomore quarterback is currently sporting a boot after injuring his calf in a recent workout. It's unclear when Lagway will be able to return to action.

The Gators do have some other quarterbacks on their roster such as graduate transfer Harrison Bailey, redshirt senior Clay Millen, redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner, and former FSU commit and true freshman Tramell Jones Jr.

Lagway can't afford to miss much time with the program replacing its top two leading receivers from last year.

The Florida Gators open their season against the Long Island University Sharks on Saturday, August 30.

2025 Florida State Football Schedule:

Week 0: BYE week

Week 1: Saturday, August 30 at 3:30 p.m. - vs. Alabama (home-opener)

Week 2: Saturday, September 6 at 12:00 p.m. - vs. East Texas A&M

Week 3: BYE week

Week 4: Saturday, September 20 - vs. Kent State (family weekend)

Week 5: Friday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. - at Virginia

Week 6: Saturday, October 4 - vs. Miami

Week 7: Saturday, October 11 - vs. Pitt (cancer awareness)

Week 8: Saturday, October 18 at 10:30 p.m. - at Stanford

Week 9: BYE week

Week 10: Saturday, November 1 - vs. Wake Forest (homecoming and Seminole heritage)

Week 11: Saturday, November 8 - at Clemson

Week 12: Saturday, November 15 - vs. Virginia Tech (military appreciation and Senior Day)

Week 13: Friday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m. - at North Carolina State

Week 14: Saturday, November 29 - at Florida (regular-season finale)

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READ MORE: Florida State Seminoles football projected to face Group of Five opponent in bowl forecast

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