The Gators probably saw everything in 2024. Some things they didn’t expect, some disappointments, and at the end of the year, a thing that keeps a fanbase going: hope. In the true sense of the phrase, it was a remarkably up-and-down season. They’d lose one week, bounce back another, then lose again, and then bounce back again. The fans, of course, weren’t having it. Billy Napier was almost axed. What saved him? Probably his contract. Probably the uncertainty in the boardroom. Surely, DJ Lagway. The hope that took down LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State to end the regular season 7-5. However, before that, there were injuries.
Injury to Graham Mertz. Injury to Lagway. Napier looked into the QB room and didn’t have much at one point of the season. That explains why Aidan Warner featured in some games. Lagway’s comeback from the injury eased some pressure on the head coach. However, Lagway won’t be there forever. Napier knows that—hence, the planning for the future. Who does he have for the future? Well, 4-star Will Griffin. Well, the Jesuit High School player committed to the Gators in June 2024. Since then, we have only heard good news about him.
Griffin has been selected for the 2026 Polynesian Bowl. He is also one of the juniors who appeared for Florida at the Under Armour All-American game. His high school records, featured on Sports Illustrated, are lofty numbers: 9719 passing yards and 106 passing touchdowns. A year ahead of his eventual inclusion in Billy Napier’s squad, Will Griffin talked about his could-be-head coach.
He had nothing but praise for the coach while appearing on the March 14th episode of the Hightop Sports. “Coach Napier […] is so steady, right? When things are great, when things are going really bad, he stays true to everything.” Griffin added, “If there’s a guy you want to put your trust in to lead a team, it’s going to be him and his staff… I’m bought into him, and so is DJ. If the quarterback’s behind him, then the whole team’s behind him.”
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators speaks during a press conference introducing him to the Media at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
When asked about what he’s looking forward to next year, Griffin said, “I just want to compete. I want to get better each and every day. Competition only makes you better.” It truly will be interesting to see the kind of game this young star brings to the field. While Griffin seems to be an extremely promising addition to the team, Napier may have some concerns when it comes to the fitness of his star player.
How are things looking for Billy Napier in the QB room?
The Gators star is healing from two injuries: one in his throwing shoulder and another in his hamstring. In four spring practices, Sports Illustrated reports that Lagway was “not an active participant” in the throwing drills during spring practice. He also practiced mock throws without a ball. Napier has yet to declare a window for his confirmed return.
Cooper Petagna and Smoke Dixon of 247sports shared their concerns about him in a video. Lagway is in a “limbo,” noted Petagna. He also broke down the situation as follows: “If any part of the engine starts to break down a little bit, everything else around him could fall.” Dixon thought that Lagway’s required growth as a second-year QB was “delayed” as a result of his injuries.
Napier might also have to turn to the transfer portal if recruit Harrison Bailey fails to impress. But that is only an extreme turn of events, and he still has Trammell Jones Jr. and Aidan Warner in the QB room. “You can see incremental improvement with all three guys,” Napier said at a press conference on Thursday.
But things might be looking up for the HC and Lagway. Napier said the QB is “getting back in his rhythm.” He highlighted that there is a need to “challenge” Lagway and “keep him engaged” on a daily basis. “[H]e’s communicating with the other quarterbacks, he’s calling in the plays in some periods, which is healthy,” Napier added. Hopefully, Griffin and Gator fans alike will get to see their star QB back in action later in the year. This is, of course, with Napier holding the ship steady at Florida.
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