As the 2024 season approaches for Florida Football, it is widely accepted that Graham Mertz is the established starter for the Gators. After a solid 2023 season, Florida is happy with its QB situation.
But as was also noted last year, staying healthy all season isn’t guaranteed, and Florida had to go into its season finale without a QB they could rely on. If CBS Sports is to be believed, Florida is better positioned than anyone in the country if something happens to Mertz in 2024.
CBS Sports/247 Sports released their list of the best backup QBs in the country and five-star freshman DJ Lagway was placed at the top.
.@clintbrew247 has ranked the 25 best backup QBs for the 2024 season.@GatorsFB‘s DJ Lagway and @TexasFootball‘s Arch Manning take the first two places. 👀
FULL Top 25: https://t.co/KfxIrwEIWu pic.twitter.com/t1nOsDoJ7r
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) 13 August 2024
Most notable on this list is Lagway, who ranks ahead of Texas QB Arch Manningwhich is expected to be behind Quinn Ewers for the second time in a row.
When Mertz was out with a broken collarbone in 2023, the Gators were forced to Max Brown at QB. Brown almost led Florida to victory over Missouri but was overwhelmed in the second half against FSU and finished the game with 9 of 16 passes for 86 yards and six sacks.
But just because Lagway has sky-high potential doesn’t mean Florida is eager to throw him into the fire or that anyone needs to start a quarterback controversy just yet. As we’ve already mentioned, of the 14 quarterbacks ranked in the top two of their respective classes since 2017, only three attempted at least 200 passes in their first year (Caleb Williams and Jayden DanielsAnd Trevor Lawrence).
Mannings, Nico Iamaleava, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Bryce YoungAnd DJ Uiagalelei are all recent examples of highly rated quarterbacks who did not play in their first year.
Florida opens the season at home against Miami on August 31.
