Florida football held its first intrasquad scrimmage of the 2025 spring practice season on Tuesday inside Bun Hill Griffin Stadium, starting the countdown to the final event — the Orange and Blue game held on Saturday, April 12.
The biggest question for the Gators coming into camp is the status of incumbent starting quarterback DJ Lagway, who has been dealing with some physical health issues that have limited his action on the field. Of course, there are plenty of other issues that Billy Napier and Co. need to address early on, and these scrimmages give him and his staff an opportunity to see where the program's strengths and weaknesses lay.
After the gridiron action, Napier spoke with the media about Tuesday's session as well as Florida sports as a whole — including both the men's and women's basketball teams. Take a loo below at what he had to offer.
Billy Napier on Florida's basketball teams
"First of all, women's basketball, congratulations to their team. I thought the resiliency, the character they showed, and the way they finished, obviously a tough (loss to Minnesota). But just in general, the progress that that program is making, and obviously Kelly Rae (Finley) and her family, the things that she's dealing with. So just really proud of them.
"Certainly Todd (Golden) and his team, man they're a fun group to watch, and they have a unique team chemistry, togetherness it just jumps off the screen. So I'm excited about taking the boys to San Antonio to watch him play Saturday."
Talking about Florida's first spring scrimmage
"So we got a lot of good work today, and we stayed healthy. I thought, for the most part, really productive day. I did not think that we started fast. I thought that early in the scrimmage, we were kind of knocking the cobwebs off. But I would say that the second, third, fourth quarter of the game today was really some good effort on the deal.
"I thought it was physical, and I think we have to make progress and work towards being a tough-minded group, a fundamentally sound group, and then one that can handle the adversity and momentum — whether it's at home against a formidable public or some of these road games, some of these venues that we have to deal with.
"A lot of situational football, but in general a ton of progress. We came in here Saturday, I thought we had our best football practice of the spring, and then today took a step forward. So in general it was a very positive day."
On Florida's quarterback play
"I thought for the most part when the pocket was clean that they were effective. I thought Aidan [Warner], in particular, did a lot of good things. I do think that we've got some legit rushers on defense, and I think that it was very competitive relative to protecting the quarterback, affecting the quarterback. Thought we tipped some balls. There would have been quite a few quarterback hits today just standing back there behind them.
"But I do think that both guys did a lot of positive things. Aidan, in particular, early I thought was really sharp."
On Napier attending Final Four with his sons
"Yeah, I'm excited."
On DJ Lagway's progression
"He's doing great. He actually played quite a few plays today. So he was able to participate in the scrimmage. He's just been modified in terms of his ability to throw the ball. Obviously, it's really a more of a holistic approach in terms of what we're doing with him. But in general, he's doing great.
"Today he ...
