Florida's DJ Lagway has calf strain, in boot at start of fall camp - ESPN

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will open fall camp in the same spot he spent spring practice — watching from the sideline.

Lagway is dealing with a calf strain and wearing a walking boot, and coach Billy Napier offered no timetable on his star player's return. It's the latest injury issue for the highly touted sophomore who missed spring with a shoulder injury after undergoing sports hernia surgery.

«It's not ideal,» Napier said Wednesday. «In the perfect world, he would be perfect every day of the offseason. I think the good thing is his attitude toward it. I think that's a positive.… He's in Year 2, I think he understands what's required to be ready. It's not ideal, but I think ultimately we'll come up with the best plan we can to have him ready.»

The Gators open training camp Wednesday. And Napier, unlike in previous years, closed viewing periods to media for the first three days.

Lagway, who went 6-1 in seven starts as a freshman in 2024, is widely considered a Heisman Trophy contender heading into this season. But he has barely been on the field at a time when he could be making significant strides.

He was limited during spring practice because of a right shoulder injury that could eventually need surgery. He resumed throwing in late April and said earlier this month at SEC media days that he would fully participate in camp.

But then he strained a calf muscle last week.

«Injuries are one of the terrible things about the profession and certainly for him being a Year 2 player and a really motivated and hungry guy,» Napier said. «I think he's done a good job staying connected. I think he still has a voice as a leader. He's still walking the halls. He's still able to be a factor in that regard.

»But