DJ Lagway’s Comeback: Florida QB on Injury Recovery, Team Chemistry, and Future of Gators Football

by | Nov 17, 2024 | 0 comments

Lagway after LSU win

In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway has made a triumphant return to the field after a potentially season-ending injury. Just two weeks after being carted off during the Georgia game, Lagway led his team to a 27-16 victory over LSU, showcasing not only his physical recovery but also his mental fortitude. After the win over LSU, Lagway opens up about his challenging journey back to the gridiron, the unwavering support from his teammates and coaches, and his vision for the future of Gators football under Coach Napier’s continued leadership.

LISTEN or WATCH | UPSET IN THE SWAMP! Florida Gators Pull Away Late, Defeat LSU 27–16

Q. What was the week like? When did you know you were ready?

DJ LAGWAY: The week, there was a lot of stuff going on this week just preparing my body, making sure my body was 100 percent, or just feeling good enough to go out there and play, and also having to prepare on the mental side of it. So it was definitely a challenging week.

But kudos to my coaches and the medical team, they’ve helped me so much. They’re the best in the country. I can say that because they helped me get back up to speed as fast as possible.

Q. Coach said you came in and said “I’m playing this week.”

DJ LAGWAY: Oh, yeah.

Q. What was that conversation like? Was there one where you just make a statement?

DJ LAGWAY: I just made a statement. I’ve got to get out there and play for my guys. I feel like they rallied around me very well. I feel like they play well around me, and I’m just thank thankful to have a great support cast.

The offensive line played their butt off. We had no sacks. And I was limited today. So it was kudos to those guys. Receivers making heck of a play. Tight ends making plays. Tight ends blocking. Running backs making heck of runs, and it was a great offensive effort. And even defense played well. Special teams too. All around great win.

Q. The throw to Elijhah, set up the go-ahead score to Ja’Kobi, could you break that play down, feeling some pressure. Looked like you were walking a little gingerly at this point in the game, step up and make that throw.

DJ LAGWAY: Just somebody gotta make the play. And why not me? That’s my thought process. Always want to be a game-changer, want to change the game. When the big plays arrive, I’ve got to make the play. That’s what Coach Napier recruited me for. Blessed to have the opportunity to make the play.

Q. Did they limit the playbook because of the injury for you? Did they just take some plays out, kind of keep it simple for you? And secondly, did you have a play in this game, a pass, that you thought, yeah, it’s there, it’s there for me?

DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, just I feel like Coach Napier and the offensive staff did an amazing job of game planning, just my strengths and weaknesses for this week.

I feel like this week taught me a lot, just learning how to truly play in the pocket and maneuver and trust in the O line and trust in all the guys around me. It was a great week. I’m excited for it.

Q. How would you assess just your comfort level within the offense, maybe from when the start of the season was to now that you’ve got a few starts under your belt and where are some areas you can improve, do you think?

DJ LAGWAY: My confidence level in this offense has jumped up tremendously. Having Coach Napier and Coach O’Hara and Graham Mertz helping me in different situations, and I feel like that’s one part of my game that I want to develop and continue to get better, being a situational expert, as Coach Napier would say. That’s something I continue to work on daily.

Q. What was it like getting injured, the moment where you had to get carted off and just realizing that you might miss the Texas game, which I know meant a lot to you?

DJ LAGWAY: That moment was definitely eye opening. It was definitely an experience that I won’t forget because I feel like we were having great momentum in that game, and I feel like my teammates, they rallied behind me.

When they all came up to me on the car, that meant a lot to me. It showed how much my guys love me and I love them and that’s definitely a moment I won’t forget.

Q. What were you saying when you were getting carted off the field?

DJ LAGWAY: I remember. I can’t say it, though.

Q. Seemed like you said something like you were playing next week?

DJ LAGWAY: I was talking (indiscernible)– I can’t say much.

Q. Before the Texas game when you went through pregame, did you feel like you could go, what was that like?

DJ LAGWAY: In the Texas game, I feel like that whole week I was very ginger on the leg. I didn’t really practice, didn’t do no team reps. Saturday, that was the best it’s felt. I felt like I could move around a little better but I wasn’t game-ready. I trusted in Coach Napier and the training staff for making that decision, having to make that decision.



Q. On the touchdown or the throw right before the touchdown to Ja’Kobi, I know you talked about it a little bit, did you see something pre-snap, single out, safety up, that made you confident it would be there?

DJ LAGWAY: Yes, most definitely. That play, I thought I was getting cat pressure, like a quarterback blitz. They ended up dropping out. I knew I had that area. I could have hit Chim on that finger route, like a sail route, but I got to Badge and he made a heck of a catch. O line protected well. It was great.

Q. Your social media reaction when the news came out that Billy was going to come back for another year, what that meant to you and what do you think it means to the team in terms of that vote of confidence?

DJ LAGWAY: Means a lot, being the second year in offense is huge. Just having the guys rally behind that and truly like we’re going to change this. And that’s the whole vibe in the locker room, that we’re going to change this place and we’re going to make it what it used to be.

I feel like on a recruiting standpoint, I felt it was huge as well. I had a lot of guys hit me up after they’ve seen that, texting me, trying to see what’s going on. But yeah, it’s great.

Q. With it being your first game back from injury, did you feel like you were kind of hindered at all with your ability to scramble or extend plays at all, and how were you kind of able to make up for that if you weren’t feeling like you totally were able to?

DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, I just feel like this game, I took it as a challenge. I knew I wasn’t 100 percent healthy. I took it as a challenge to prove to myself I could do it and play in the pocket. And I don’t really need to use my legs. I could maneuver in the pocket and make different throws. I feel it was a huge confidence builder for me.

Q. Just two weeks ago being carted off the field. Looked like it was a career-ending injury. Did you perceive then that you would be back here standing here now?

DJ LAGWAY: No, sir, I did not think I was going to be standing here. By the grace of God I’m good. And I feel like, like I said, the training staff were amazing. I really couldn’t get up when I had that injury. I was really in pain. I’m not the guy to lay on a field. Never do stuff like that.

My parents, they came out of the stands. They know the type of guy I am. They were definitely worried about it. But by the grace of God, I got back and got healthy, my guys.

Q. Just how did you develop the release, the quick release you have, and just the confidence? You don’t seem to hold back. When you see something, you go.

DJ LAGWAY: Just my training. I’m recently new to the quarterback. I just started training my sophomore year.

It’s a daily learning experience. That’s why I really chose the Florida Gators because Coach Napier, here they develop me every single day and I feel I’m trending up to being a better quarterback.

My training. QB training with Tillman, training with him before I could even throw a football. So it’s been great.

Q. How long does that go back?

DJ LAGWAY: Really, I’d say, going into my sophomore year. So like ninth grade, around this time, in the ninth grade season.

Q. I know you mentioned before how when it was announced that Coach Napier would be sticking around, you have recruits reaching out to you. Obviously you were someone who continued to have faith in this program throughout your whole recruiting process, and I think the season validated that. When you’ve been questioned about that by guys deciding to go to Florida, how do you respond along those lines, just like when, if you’re being asked about Florida and about why it’s the place to be for college football, what do you say in response to them?

DJ LAGWAY: My kind of response to that is we’ve got the best fan base in the country. We’ve got coaches that care and that’s going to develop you, make you a better player and person on and off the field. So that’s kind of how I see it.

Q. With the running backs, with Jadan and Ja’Kobi, just talk about how the two of them have developed throughout the season, how they’ve formed a nice 1-2 combo.

DJ LAGWAY: Those guys are great. I’ve seen what they had since spring. So I feel like those guys have been playing their butts off. Helped me tremendously to be able to push the ball down the field, knowing the run game is going hard.

Kudos to the O line. They’ve been playing amazing football. So it’s been great.

Q. What percentage would you say you were at tonight?

DJ LAGWAY: I’d say I was healthy enough to move around the pocket, let’s say that. That’s all I can really say about that.

Q. How much more do you expect to progress in the weeks to come to get to 100 percent?

DJ LAGWAY: I feel today was a big step forward. I didn’t have any setbacks. It was great. I felt good. I didn’t really have anything grab up on me much. Because my O line, they did a heck of a job, kept me in there kept me on the edges, and even in front, it was great.

Q. I know you have chemistry with all of your guys at receiver, but what’s that bond like with Elijhah Badger especially down the field, how well do you feel you guys have a connection?

DJ LAGWAY: We have an amazing connection. Like I said, we’ve been working since the offseason, and I feel like kudos to that, the hard work we’ve put in and the summer workouts and the player-led workouts, and just being able to trust my guys to go make the plays. I have trust for all my receivers. I feel I have a bond and chemistry with those guys to make plays.

Q. What makes him such a deep threat? I think after today he’ll probably lead the country in yards per catch.

DJ LAGWAY: The way he excels when the ball’s in the area. I can just put it up there, he’ll go get it.

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