What wrinkles will Billy Napier have up his sleeve to overcome Gators’ QB conundrum? | Analysis

GAINESVILLE — Florida heads to the Lone Star State for a scheduling two-step more daunting than any school faces in 2024.

Consecutive games against No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Texas set up to be the ultimate a 1-2 punch to kick off a November slate highlighting the nation’s most difficult schedule.

The Gators head to Austin presumably down their top two quarterbacks. With veteran Graham Mertz watching from the sideline on crutches following knee surgery, freshman phenom DJ Lagway injured his left leg and was carted off the field during the second quarter of UF’s 34-20 loss to Georgia.

Coach Billy Napier said an MRI Sunday revealed a soft tissue injury “less significant” than feared, while holding out hope he could be available.

Lagway’s status will be “pretty clear-cut” by midweek, per Napier. Barring a remarkable recovery, redshirt freshman walk-on Aidan Warner will make his first start at 100,119-seat Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

How did Gators end up in this QB situation?

Warner is a feel-good story, but the Yale transfer does not fit the profile of an SEC quarterback. The former Winter Park High standout also is Florida’s best hope.

Attrition, recruiting misses and legal matters have left Florida with just three scholarship quarterbacks, Mertz, Lagway and Colorado State transfer Clay Millen, whom Warner outperformed during fall camp (now his backup).

Eight scholarship signal-callers have left Florida’s program prematurely under Napier, including 2023 NFL first-round pick Anthony Richardson, promising Ohio State transfer Jack Miller III, 2023 Under Armour All-American Jaden Rashada and Jalen Kitna, son of 15-year NFL veteran QB Jon Kitna.

Miller retired after thumb injuries on his throwing hand and another to his throwing shoulder; Rashada backed out of his commitment amid a failed $13.8…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wrinkles-billy-napier-sleeve-overcome-170000908.html

Author : Orlando Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-11-06 17:00:00

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