Gasparilla Bowl another chance for Florida football offense to grow under freshman QB DJ Lagway

TAMPA ― Each game presents another step in the growth of Florida football freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.

When the Florida Gators face Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday at Raymond James Stadium (3:30 p.m., ESPN2), it’ll be another chance for the 6-foot-3, 239-pound Lagway to command an improving UF offense.

Call it a final exam for Lagway, who improved to 5-1 as a starter after leading the Gators to a 31-11 win over FSU to close the regular season in his last start on Nov. 30.

“We were a little rusty the last go-around, so I do think there’s another level there,” Florida football coach Billy Napier said. “But you know balance, good situational football and then obviously keep DJ clean and play well around him, we’ve got to get good play in every position around him, so, we know what winning football looks like that’s what we’re going to do.”

Lagway went 14 for 22 for 133 yards with two TDs and an interception in his last outing against the Seminoles but was victimized by a few drops on an unseasonably cold night.

“Playing quarterback is sometimes like playing golf,” Florida co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Russ Callaway said. “Every now and then you’re going to hit a bad shot, and sometimes when you move maybe your feet are not quite on balance the way they’re supposed to be.

“Yeah, we’ve done a really good job of preparing this bowl prep of pocket movement, and he already does that anyway, but it’s one of those things it wasn’t his best in that area but he’s been really good throughout the course of the year and he’s only going to continue to get better.”

Why DJ Lagway has excelled as the Florida football starting QB

From Lagway’s first career start against Samford, when he connected on six pass plays of 30 yards or more, he’s demonstrated the ability to throw deep balls with accuracy. Enrolling in January helped Lagway learn the intricacies of playing quarterback at the college level. Napier said Lagway has grown immeasurably in that area.

“He’s a more advanced player,” Napier said. “He understands, fronts, pressures, coverages, how his concept marries up to what defensive concept we’re getting, just kind of knows the problems and can kind of get ahead of that.”

Callaway said Lagway’s football IQ allowed the staff to feel comfortable expanding the playbook as the season progressed.

“He’s one of the rare guys at an early age has been hungry and has this laser-like focus and knows what he wants to accomplish,” Callaway said. “He doesn’t just talk about it, he does it.”

An example, Callaway said, is the time Lagway spends at the Heavener Center, studying film.

“You’ll go up there multiple times throughout the weekend, early in the morning, late at night, you’re not surprised to see that guy up there,” Callaway said. “That’s why he’s having success.”

How the Florida football offense can evolve under DJ Lagway

Callaway said the key is to continue to play to Lagway’s strengths. When Lagway suffered a hamstring pull against Georgia that forced him to sit out the following game against Texas, it limited his dual-threat ability for the remainder of the regular season. But with more time to heal, it’s an aspect of his game that he could either showcase against Tulane or keep under wraps for his sophomore season.

“He’s exceeded our expectations, not just from a physical standpoint but from a mental standpoint,” Callaway said. “His strengths are obviously the deep ball accuracy. He can move with his legs, he has been incredible in the pocket so we’ve got to do a good job of setting up the run, mix in movements every now and then with him and let him throw it deep when we’ve got one-on-one and hopefully our guys can come down with it.”

As to whether Florida could open up the offense with four or five-wide receiver formations with Lagway in the future, Callaway said: “It’s something we can definitely do. Again, I think it goes back to the best 11 that you’ve got, the best 11, if it’s four tight ends, if it’s four wide receivers, whoever it is it’s your job as an offensive coach to get the best 11 on the field and get the guys who make plays consistently, get them the ball.”

With All-American center Jake Slaughter and left tackle Austin Barber announcing their decisions to return to UF next season, Florida will boast an experienced offensive line with four returning starters to protect Lagway and help establish the run.

“DJ is a very good player and we’ve got veteran guys coming back,” Barber said. “He’s had a year under his belt with him growing and developing. I’m just really excited about that.”

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1