With Florida football’s struggles near breaking point, can DJ Lagway save Billy Napier’s job?

There is no choice. Desperation now completely outweighs hesitation.

Florida coach Billy Napier is on the verge of losing his job, and uber-talented freshman quarterback DJ Lagway can change everything.

At the very least, Lagway can’t further harm the situation.

“Look, let’s not get out in front of ourselves here,” Napier said Monday during his weekly press conference. “This is a team game.”

A team game where one unique talent at the most important position on the field can change the dynamics of a failed program.

Because matter what Napier does, the referendum of Miami 41, Florida 17 in Week 1 isn’t going away.

The damage from that rivalry rout in front of 90,000 witnesses at The Swamp, the surreal collapse of eight months of offseason work and optimism — and the proud declaration that this season would be different — will linger for months, if not years.

The operational mess. The lack of difference-makers on the field. The overwhelmed team in a statement game.

The Miami players, strutting off the field and taunting elite high school recruits on official visits, daring them to sign with Florida instead of Miami.

The shellshocked look on Napier’s face as he trudged off the field, a coach long on frustration and humiliation — and short on job security.

There’s only one way out of this deep and unforgiving hole: play Lagway and show the future. Show what could be.

Show fans, show big-money boosters, show recruits.

Then get out of the way and hope like hell Lagway’s rare talent takes over and something special happens. Because at this point, we’ve seen what Graham Mertz can do as the starter.

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) gestures before a play against Miami during their game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Miami is no different than Texas A&M or Tennessee. Or Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and LSU. The Gators…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-footballs-struggles-near-breaking-091243794.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-12 09:12:43

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