Florida QB DJ Lagway in Walking Boot with Calf Injury Ahead of 2025 CFB Season

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway has a calf strain and is wearing a walking boot to start fall camp, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

Gators head coach Billy Napier did not give a timetable for Lagway, who also missed spring practice with a shoulder injury following sports hernia surgery.

"It's not ideal," Napier said Wednesday. "In the perfect world, he would be perfect every day of the offseason. I think the good thing is his attitude toward it. I think that's a positive. ... He's in Year 2, I think he understands what's required to be ready. It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready."

Lagway is coming off a strong freshman season in which he recorded 1,915 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, leading the Gators to a 6-1 record in seven starts. After a promising first season, Lagway is widely expected to make a leap in Year 2, and he's even gotten some traction as a possible Heisman candidate.

Unfortunately, Lagway's latest injury continues a trend for him. He hurt his foot at the Under Armour All-American Game in January 2024, ahead of his freshman season, and had to miss some of fall camp last year because of shoulder soreness. In the spring, he was limited due to a right shoulder injury that might "eventually need surgery," according to the Associated Press.

"Injuries are one of the terrible things about the profession and certainly for him being a Year 2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy," Napier said. "I think he's done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He's still walking the halls. He's still able to be a factor in that regard.

"But he's still a very young player and needs these reps for development as well. When he gets back, he'll be just fine. He's had a great attitude toward it, and we've got to help him manage expectations a little bit as well."

If Lagway's calf strain keeps him out for the start of the regular season, the Gators will likely turn to Harrison Bailey under center. Bailey, a former 4-star prospect, spent a pair of seasons with Tennessee, a year at UNLV and was with Louisville in 2023 and 2024. He saw the most action as a freshman with the Vols, throwing for 578 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in six games.

The Gators have yet to reemerge as national contenders under Napier but made strides in his third season at the helm. Thanks to a late-season surge, Florida finished 8-5 and is looking to build on that momentum this year.