The Florida Gators are gearing up to face Texas A&M on Saturday, marking the start of their SEC schedule. Senior quarterback Graham Mertz has been named the starter for the game, but there’s been ongoing debate about whether freshman phenom DJ Lagway should take the reins instead. Lagway’s athleticism and playmaking ability have some fans and analysts calling for him to start over the more experienced Mertz.
One prominent voice weighing in on the quarterback debate is Florida legend and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. While Tebow acknowledges Lagway’s immense talent, he believes that starting the young quarterback right away might not be the best move for the Gators.
“Listen, DJ is the future of Florida football, and the future is bright with him,” Tebow said during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “I’m so excited about this young man. He’s an incredible player and an incredible person, but the issue for Florida hasn’t been the quarterback position. Graham Mertz is a very good quarterback, and the problems have been elsewhere.”
Tebow went on to explain that many of Florida’s struggles this season are beyond the quarterback’s control. He pointed to several areas where the team has underperformed, such as the offensive line, protection schemes, receiver separation, play-calling, and defensive consistency. In his view, it’s unfair to pin all the team’s issues on Mertz, who has been steady at the quarterback position.
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“Offensive line, protection, receivers getting open, play-calling, defense being able to stop somebody—it hasn’t been on Graham Mertz,” Tebow continued. “While DJ is exciting and has a bright future, Graham has been doing really well. It’s easy for fans and the media to say, ‘Let’s just change the quarterback,’ but that doesn’t mean it’s the right decision. Mertz has been solid.”
As the Gators prepare for Saturday’s game, Tebow emphasized that Mertz’s experience makes him the better option against Texas A&M’s defense. Mertz, a senior transfer from Wisconsin, has seen a variety of defensive schemes throughout his college career, which Tebow believes will be crucial when facing a well-coached team like the Aggies.
“We have to understand that if it’s second or third and long, and Florida can’t run the ball, Mike Elko [Texas A&M’s head coach] is going to dial up so many different pressures that DJ Lagway has never seen before. It’s not his fault—it’s just part of being a young quarterback,” Tebow explained.
However, Tebow is also excited about Lagway’s potential and believes the Gators should find ways to get him on the field. “Should DJ play? Absolutely. You want to give him opportunities to gain experience, build confidence, and get better. But putting him in constant high-pressure situations, especially when he hasn’t seen certain defensive looks before, could be overwhelming. That’s where Graham Mertz’s experience comes in—he’s seen every look out there.”
Florida’s game plan for Saturday includes starting Mertz but incorporating Lagway in specific packages to maximize his athleticism and gradually prepare him for more significant roles. Lagway’s speed and playmaking ability are assets that the Gators want to utilize, but Tebow believes it’s essential to ease him into the game and let him grow into the position.
The quarterback strategy will be put to the test this Saturday when the Gators take on Texas A&M at The Swamp. The balance between relying on Mertz’s experience and slowly integrating Lagway’s dynamic skill set will be crucial in determining how well Florida performs against a strong Aggies defense.
Tebow’s insights highlight the complexity of the situation, as the Gators look to find the right mix of veteran leadership and youthful potential to kick off their SEC campaign.
