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Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier is, by most accounts, a dead man walking.
The Gators are 1-2 to start Napier’s third season, bringing his career record with the Gators to 12-16, and he’s repeatedly clashed with Florida fans along the way.
But there is one small sliver of hope for Napiers and the Gators – freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway was the top-rated high school quarterback in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports and possess immense arm talent.
Many fans expected him to challenge Graham Mertz for the starting quarterback job. But Mertz won out over the summer and started each of the first two games of the season. Last week, Lagway split reps with Mertz but struggled mightily against the Texas A&M Aggies.
He completed just 6-of-13 passes for 63 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
So, what did Napier decide to do with Lagway against Mississippi State on Saturday? He didn’t start him. But he also didn’t bench him. Instead, he put Lagway in for every third Florida possession, and fans did not understand the logic.
“If I were Billy Napier and knew I was gonna get fired I would just starting doing weird s— too,” one person wrote.
“I’d have gone 2nd, 5th, and 8th, but that’s why I’m the idiot online and he’s the coach,” said another.
Lagway actually excelled in his brief appearances in the first half. He completed all four of his passes for 49 yards and led Florida to a touchdown on his first drive.
The Gators led the Bulldogs 28-14 at halftime.
But the plan for Lagway still makes little sense. Either you go all in on your future and play the talented freshman, or you roll with Mertz because you believe he helps you win now.
You can’t do both!
Or, if you’re Napier, you can. But it probably just serves to hasten your exit from the Florida head coaching role.