Florida Coach Billy Napier on the Hot Seat: Can QB DJ Lagway Save the Season?। USA TODAY NEWS

[Music] there isn't an option right now desperation totally overcomes hesitancy DJ lagway a rookie quarterback with Incredible skill has the potential to drastically alter Florida's situation and save head coach Billy Napier's career if nothing else lway is unable to make things worse Monday during his weekly news conference the naier stated look let's not get ahead of ourselves this is a game for team this is a team sport where a single exceptional player the most crucial position on the field alter the Dynamics of a failing program the Miami 41 Florida 17 referendum from Week 1 will not go away no matter what Napier does months if not years The Fallout from that rivalry crushing in front of 90,000 fans at the swamp will remain as will the bizarre breakdown of eight months of preparation and hope and the triumphant Proclamation this season will be different there is operational chaos absence of game-changing players a squad that won a game made a statement when Premier High School prospects are on an official visit the Miami players dare them to sign with Florida rather than Miami by marching off the field and insulting them Napier had a Shell Shocked expression as he limped off the field he was a coach who was short on job security and long on humiliation and frustration there's just one way out of this merciless deep hole show the future by playing lague illustrate the possibilities show recruiters show supporters and show high rollers step aside and pray fervently that L's unique gift manifests itself and something extraordinary occurs Ram mer has already demonstrated his potential as a starter Miami is similar to Tennessee Texas A&M LSU ol Miss Texas Georgia and so on Merz is a hard-charging valiant soldier who leads the Gators through that ordeal yet he isn't guiding them with Tim tbo's Moxy and lag's unusual combination of Anthony Richardson talent and dynamic ability they have a shot bold projection playoff field is shuffled again calm down top five overreactions after week two after last week's spectacular practice game defeat of FCS opponent Samford in which lagway established a Florida freshman record for throwing yards 456 teammates gushed about him his skill and work ethic have captivated them throughout the summer they will rely on him to win games this season they had no idea that after the devastation of Week 1 they would need him to salvage every future season and yes neer's job were all on the line Dan Mullen was sacked by Florida before the 2021 season as they had fired Jim mne in 2017 and will muschamp in 2014 it's unlikely that Nate beer will be let go before the 2024 season conclude that doesn't suffice consider this Florida mitigated at M's huge buyout by using his fictitious death threat allegation little doubt that the impending NCAA probe into Florida's hiring of former High School standout Jaden rashada will be used as a negotiation ship lesson Napier's $226 million buyout the difference between those two instances is that M Wayne was never accepted in Gainesville where his tough demeanor infuriated a lot of people even before he even led a game Napier is more like musk in that all University decision makers really want him to be successful before Napier could enter the locker room after the heartbreaking and humiliating defeat to Miami Florida interim president Kent fuks stopped him to give words of encouragement before he retired in 2022 OTS hired Napier and when former US senator Ben sassy unexpectedly resigned in July futs came back as temporary president and unless anything radically different happens through throughout the rest of the season futes may now have to dismiss Napier MZ who missed the Samford game due to a concussion is anticipated to be cleared to play according to Napier and both quarterbacks will take the field against Texas A&M Napier may keep playing Merz hoping that perfect execution will help him overcome his inherent limits that misguided strategy produced five victories in 2023 and a established the 2024 Winter Walk season at Florida maper has won 12 of his 28 games and his bill prepared squads have produced as much excitement as an enema that is until Samford faced lway and revealed her identity with each throw lag's arm extends the field altering the way Defenders must match up against the Gators in the Run game he's a huge 6' 3 240 lb and surprise surprisingly Speedy op he is the biggest unknown Hurricane's defensive coordinator Lance gri was questioned about being ready for the Florida offense as was MZ a few days after Miami destroyed the Gators he may as well have severed his ties with naier and let his possible future in Gainesville Fade Away we selected the best five to seven plays from the game tape from the previous year dedri said tailback screens Crossroad roads and a reverse I bet four to five won't appear in the first 10 plays lway is prone to errors they'll make interceptions and struggle with ball security he'll check for incorrect plays horse passes and fail to see the field or open receivers moreover he'll accomplish things that Merz can't the play caller ultimately changes his thinking as the Playbook grows larger with lagway long third passes that were un feasible with Merz become possible and the quarterback run game becomes a factor in summary the benefit outweighs the danger especially when it could potentially save both Meier's job and a season