Florida’s Napier plans to utilize both Mertz, Lagway

Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterSep 9, 2024, 01:15 PM ET

Close

• ACC press reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
• Graduate of the University of Florida.Florida coach Billy Napier plans to

use both Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway at quarterback, saying during his Monday press conference, “these guys will make us harder to protect. “Lagway began against Samford recently in location of Mertz, out with a concussion, and set a school record for real freshmen with 456 backyards passing in a 45-7 success. Napier stated Mertz has another action to go through to clear concussion procedures. If he does that today, as anticipated, Napier plans to play both quarterbacks Saturday against Texas A&M. How that will look– and who will begin– Napier was not all set to disclose all that.”That’s where the gamesmanship is,” Napier stated.”I don’t want to put the playbook

on the streets here. Eventually [Lagway’s] among our much better players. We’re going to offer him an opportunity to affect the game and contribute to the team. That’s our objective.” Editor’s Picks Napier said the strategy coming into the season was constantly to use both quarterbacks. But Lagway did not get in the 41-17 season-opening loss to Miami till after Mertz was knocked out late in the game.Against Samford, Napier stated he was impressed with the poise Lagway showed and the vertical death game. He had six completions that got at least 30 yards, raising hopes amongst the Gator faithful that the future has actually shown up.”Our objective the entire time has been to play DJ in every game,”Napier said. “Undoubtedly, he gets a bit more knowledgeable every week. For him to have the chance to be the starter, prepare with the 1sts and then go play and the method he did that, the grace, the composure, it reveals he’s prepared to do what we plan to do with him going forward. There’s no doubt both these guys will make us more difficult to defend. “Compare that to the offending revealing against Miami– in which Mertz tossed for 91 yards and the downfield death game was nonexistent. Napier fasted to warn the huge distinction in teams they dealt with.”I

‘m ecstatic we’ve got an excellent young player in the structure,” Napier said. “All of us understand he’s extremely skilled. I’m enthusiastic he can do that on any phase against any opponent.” Napier likewise stated Mertz has helped Lagway, consisting of walk-throughs together Friday night.”There’s been a great deal of these characteristics over the years in regards to having a veteran player who’s achieved, who’s had a good career that’s returning, who’s in a management function and then you’ve got this young skill,”Napier said.”We’re going to do what

‘s in the very best interest of the group. Both these players can make our team better. The great feature of it is there’s a great relationship there. There’s self-confidence, there’s humility from both guys and I believe there’s a healthy respect from the group and the personnel for both players. “