With the Gators off for the week as a result of the University of Florida's spring break, sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway isn't letting the lull in practice go to waste.
Lagway is currently in Jacksonville training with a high-profile former UF signal-caller: current Indianapolis Colts quarterback, and a Gainesville native, Anthony Richardson.
The pair of quarterbacks have consistently communicated since Lagway committed to Florida, just days after Richardson opted to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, yet this is the first time the duo has trained together, according to Richardson's agent, Deiric Jackson.
In a photo posted by Jackson, the 6-foot-3, 241-pound Lagway looks larger than Richardson, even if the post may not tell the full story considering Richardson's experience and measurements of 6-foot-4, 244 pounds.
Popped in today and watched my guys put in work???? @GVOaant @DerekLagway @GormelyTM pic.twitter.com/ITPbd6a8ec
— deiric jackson (@djackson_legacy) March 19, 2025
The pair are working out with Dr. Tom Gormely, the co-founder of CORTX Sports Performance, a facility which provides sports science and performance training systems, according to its website.
Gormely is providing input to Lagway regarding the quarterback's continued rehabilitation from an undisclosed injury to his throwing shoulder, according to a source, which has limited the second-year quarterback's usage during spring camp.
Throughout the media viewing windows to start Florida's spring practice sessions, Lagway has yet to throw, though he's simulated hand-offs, as he navigates a hurt shoulder and an undisclosed "lower-body" injury.
Lagway's lower-body may be related to the hamstring strain he suffered in the second quarter of Florida's early-November loss to Georgia, though Swamp247 has heard from multiple sources that Lagway is dealing with an unrelated lower-body injury.
Regardless, UF head coach Billy Napier stressed the ailments Lagway is dealing with are not out of the ordinary.
"This is not unnormal," Napier said at the time.
Lagway has been a participant for all of UF's spring practice sessions thus far, with Harrison Bailey, Tramell Jones Jr. and Aidan Warner receiving elevated snaps as a result of his limited participation, with Lagway observing during each sessions during routes on air.
No specifics have been provided on the injury to Lagway, who is considered to be an early favorite to contend for the Heisman Trophy in just his second season at UF, along with the overwhelming favorite to secure the starting quarterback role at Florida in 2025.
"We've got a really detailed plan. I think we laid that out," said Napier. "I think the key and I kind of took some notes in practice there while he's going through this process. I think it's important that we challenge him. We still have to have a daily plan to keep him engaged. I think right now he's communicating with the other quarterbacks. He's calling in the plays in some periods, which is healthy. Seeing it from a different perspective."
Along with highlighting the addition of Bailey, who UF's head coach insisted was added to provide the program with a capable signal-caller to compete for a role in 2025, Napier stated Warner, who filled in for the injured Lagway against Texas and roughly a half versus Georgia last season, completing 21-of-50 passes for 228 yards with three interceptions, in addition to Bailey and Jones will have an opportunity to further their improvement with Lagway limited throughout spring camp.
"In general, I think it provides a great opportunity for the other players. Aidan, Harrison and Tramell, all three are getting significant reps and doing a really good job," Napier assessed. "You can see the incremental improvement with all three guys that are all obviously still young players."
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