Florida Gators’ quarterback room may possess depth behind DJ Lagway (2025)

GAINESVILLE — The eye test and raw numbers from Saturday’s Orange and Blue Game conspired to convey the impression that Florida’s just fine at quarterback. In time, that notion might be validated.

But fans have seen enough of these scrimmages to know that what glistens in April could be deemed pyrite by September. After all, the squad was split and the quarterbacks shielded from contact (a slap on the shoulder pads constituted a sack). Neither a hostile crowd from Coral Gables, nor hostile pass rush from Baton Rouge, could be replicated.

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But on a crisp afternoon in a controlled environment, a Ben Hill Griffin Stadium audience of 56,563 might have seen enough mobility, moxie and velocity from a trio of passers to believe there’s depth behind DJ Lagway.

“I think it’s competitive,” coach Billy Napier said. “There were a few situations where we took sacks. I think we’ve got to manage the pocket a little bit better, but yeah, I feel good.”

Priority One entering spring was to eliminate the chance of a scenario similar to last November, when injuries to opening-day starter Graham Mertz, then Lagway, sent Florida’s offense into a temporary tailspin. While walk-on Aidan Warner — a Yale transfer — performed admirably in relief of Lagway in a 34-20 loss to Georgia, his greenness was exposed a week later in an embarrassing 49-17 defeat at Texas.

This past Saturday, reassurance arrived in triplicate. First, Warner showed signs of growth, finishing 10 of 23 for 157 yards, two touchdowns and only one sack for the Blue while operating behind essentially the projected 2025 starting offensive line.

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Then, 6-foot-4 graduate transfer Harrison Bailey — who started three games for Tennessee in a previous life — threw for a spring game-record 363 yards and three touchdowns despite steady harassment (he was ruled sacked five times) to rally the Orange from a huge early hole in a 38-32 Blue triumph.

Finally, Napier said afterward that Lagway, limited all spring while rehabbing shoulder and lower-body ailments, is expected to be 100% when organized team activities commence in June. As a bonus, even freshman Tramell Jones completed two of three passes in a cameo.

“You guys watched the scrimmage (Saturday),” Napier said. “I think those guys were very capable and I thought Aidan did a good job running his team and I think Harrison (had) maybe a little bit of a slow start, the players around him (had) some drops. I think the protection at times could have been a little better, but in general, I was pleased.”

Pleased enough, it appears, to decide against pursuing another quarterback when the spring transfer portal window opens Wednesday. With concerns over Lagway’s health dissipating, Napier is almost certain to ride his current quartet into 2025.

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Only question is, who wins the backup job?

While Warner remains a work in progress (and a walk-on), it’s clear he has evolved from the rookie who struggled after being thrust into a late-season maelstrom last autumn. On Saturday’s opening possession, he directed a seven-play, 70-yard drive ending with an 8-yard scoring throw to tight end Hayden Hansen.

“Especially having this opportunity this spring, I think it’s a world of difference,” said Warner, afforded numerous first-team reps all spring with Lagway sidelined. “I’m super grateful to have that opportunity to get better. I think I can keep getting better as I go and keep getting these reps.”

Yet Bailey clearly has the edge in seasoning, having previously played for three Football Bowl Subdivision programs (Tennessee, UNLV, Louisville) with four career starts. An 11,000-yard passer at Marietta (Georgia), he made his collegiate starting debut for the Vols at Florida, going 14 of 21 for 111 yards and his first career touchdown pass in a 31-19 loss on Dec. 5, 2020.

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His last start: New Year’s Eve, in the Sun Bowl for Louisville, when he finished 16 of 25 for 134 yards and three TDs in a 35-34 victory against Washington.

“I felt like the first couple days of spring ball I’m just guessing,” Bailey said Saturday. “And now (QBs coach Ryan O’Hara) is able to call whatever and I know what I’m supposed to be doing. A few plays today, I made a few mistakes, eyes in the wrong place, took the wrong drop, whatever it may be, but I’m still progressing.”

So is fan optimism over the stability of Florida’s most critical position. For at least one spring Saturday, the Gators showed that depth — and not despair — just might prevail if Lagway goes down again.

“(Harrison) has played in the SEC,” Warner said. “Another veteran in the room is super cool.”

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Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

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