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The Florida Gators will be heading to Knoxville for their Week 7 showdown against the Tennessee Volunteers. After a two-game losing streak, Billy Napier and his team managed to defeat the UCF Knights last week to regain their composure and momentum.
With that victory, the Florida Gators have put up a 3-2 record so far this season. If they want to qualify for the bowl games, they will have to continue winning. Let us have a look at who will be Floria's starting QB against Tennessee.
Florida starting QB against Tennessee
Graham Mertz will continue his duties as the QB1 for the team. He had a rocky start to the season after injuring himself during their Week 1 game against Miami. This led to Mertz missing out on the Week 2 game against Samford.
However, freshman QB DJ Lagway showcased his talents against Samford, leading the Gators to a 45-7 victory.
Graham Mertz then returned as the starting QB for Florida. However, his return has not been very successful so far as the Gators lost consecutive games to Mississippi State and Texas A&M.
DJ Lagway also saw time on the field after his splendid performance against Samford as both the quarterbacks played in rotation.
With one start to his name, Lagway has recorded 667 passing yards and four TD passes in five games as a true freshman for Florida. The Vols will have to prepare for this unique rotation between Graham Mertz and Lagway during Week 7 at home.
During Wednesday's SEC Coaches Teleconference, Billy Napier talked about how the Florida Gators have improved in their game which helped them defeat UCF in Week 6.
"I just think overall the combination of the fundamentals and techniques and the overall alignment assignment, communication process on defense. And I think we have a little bit better mindset," Napier said. "I think the mentality's changed a bit."
Florida's quarterback depth chart
With Graham Mertz as the QB1, DJ Lagway will continue his duties as the backup quarterback for Florida. The former five-star recruit joined Billy Napier's team as a part of the 2024 recruiting class.
The QB depth chart also includes redshirt junior Clay Millen and redshirt freshman Aidan Warner.
Millen started his collegiate career with Nevada back in 2021. He then transferred to Colorado State where he spent two seasons with them. Millen then joined Florida this offseason and is yet to make an appearance for the team.
On the other hand, Aidan Warner transferred as a redshirt freshman from Yale. He saw limited time on the field this season against Samford, where he put up 10 passing yards along with one rushing touchdown.
