GAINESVILLE — Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, limited during most of preseason camp, will start the season opener on Saturday night against Long Island University.

Florida head coach Billy Napier confirmed “DJ is the starting quarterback” during his Monday press conference when asked if Lagway would start against the Sharks.

Lagway returned to 11-on-11 drills last week after suffering a strained calf before preseason camp opened in late July.

“It gets better every day,” Napier said Monday. “He’s having a lot of fun playing football and competing. He’s smiling a lot more often now.”

Lagway is coming off a freshman season in which he led the Gators to a 6-1 record when he started. He missed time last season due to a hamstring injury, and he was limited in spring camp because of a tender shoulder.

Following an offseason of speculation of when Lagway would be ready, Napier delivered the answer Monday.

Here is Napier’s press conference in full, covering a wide range of topics as the Gators prepare to face the Sharks at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium:

 

Florida Gators Football Press Conference 8-25-2025 https://t.co/bWaJ6daEda

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 25, 2025

 

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