Quarterback DJ Lagway during pregame in Miami last Saturday.
Press Conference | Napier Addresses Lagway's Status, Johnson's Injury
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators (1-3) have a bye week coming off their 26-7 loss at Miami on Saturday.
UF head coach Billy Napier made his weekly appearance on the Southeastern Conference media teleconference on Wednesday morning and touched on several topics, including the health of starting quarterback DJ Lagway.
Lagway was seen wearing a protective boot around campus on Monday, igniting rumors that he suffered a serious injury in the loss to the Hurricanes.
Napier said that's not the case, and that Lagway practiced on Tuesday and wore the protective boot for precautionary reasons.
"DJ is fine,'' Napier said. "He got stepped on during the game; we put a boot on him. He's no issue at all. He practiced [Tuesday]. He's 100 percent."
As for the runaway rumors about Lagway's health and commitment to the program, Napier downplayed their significance as the Gators work to snap a three-game losing streak.
"It's comical,'' Napier said. "The kid's been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off Monday. [Tuesday] had a really good day. We can't control that outside narrative, obviously. He's just fine. He's been in the building just like he's on the staff. He's been back to work.
"That's a total myth that's out there."
While Napier provided optimistic news about Lagway, he delivered a different outcome for cornerback Dijon Johnson, who left the Miami loss with a knee injury.
Napier said Johnson had season-ending knee surgery on Tuesday.
"It's going to be fixable, nothing long-term there, but he will be out the remainder of the season,'' Napier said.
UF head coach Billy Napier made his weekly appearance on the Southeastern Conference media teleconference on Wednesday morning and touched on several topics, including the health of starting quarterback DJ Lagway.
Lagway was seen wearing a protective boot around campus on Monday, igniting rumors that he suffered a serious injury in the loss to the Hurricanes.
Napier said that's not the case, and that Lagway practiced on Tuesday and wore the protective boot for precautionary reasons.
"DJ is fine,'' Napier said. "He got stepped on during the game; we put a boot on him. He's no issue at all. He practiced [Tuesday]. He's 100 percent."
Back to work . pic.twitter.com/MKKPIk1Qnm
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 24, 2025
As for the runaway rumors about Lagway's health and commitment to the program, Napier downplayed their significance as the Gators work to snap a three-game losing streak.
"It's comical,'' Napier said. "The kid's been back in here since Sunday, working his butt off Monday. [Tuesday] had a really good day. We can't control that outside narrative, obviously. He's just fine. He's been in the building just like he's on the staff. He's been back to work.
"That's a total myth that's out there."
While Napier provided optimistic news about Lagway, he delivered a different outcome for cornerback Dijon Johnson, who left the Miami loss with a knee injury.
Napier said Johnson had season-ending knee surgery on Tuesday.
"It's going to be fixable, nothing long-term there, but he will be out the remainder of the season,'' Napier said.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
Devin Moore Postgame Press Conference 9-20-25
Saturday, September 20
DJ Lagway Postgame Press Conference 9-20-25
Saturday, September 20
Billy Napier Postgame Press Conference 9-20-25
Saturday, September 20
Game Time presented by Tower Hill Insurance 9-19-25
Friday, September 19
