"He needs to play": Steve Spurrier chooses between DJ Lagway and Graham Mertz as Florida starting QB decision looms

Former Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier has given his opinion on who he thinks the team should start at quarterback this week. The Gators have had a mixed start to the season, going 1-1 in the first two weeks. In Week 3, they face their first opponent from the SEC, the Texas A&M Aggies (1-1), at The Swamp on Saturday.

But going into this game, Gators coach Billy Napier has a decision to make as to who will be his QB1. Napier will have to choose between redshirt senior Graham Mertz and freshman DJ Lagway. Fans have seen both of these players this season, and there are mixed opinions on which one the program should start against the Aggies.

Spurrier gave his take on the latest edition of the "Another Dooley Noted Podcast," where he came out in support of Lagway playing in this game.

“I don’t know who’s going to start or whatever, but he (DJ Lagway) needs to play," Spurrier said. "How much? We’ll see. DJ Lagway got a chance to show he can really play, that was encouraging. He can make all the throws plus he can run. The more I watch football nowadays, if your quarterback can’t run a bit, I don’t know how you win.”

DJ Lagway was the starting quarterback for the Gators' game last weekend against Samford, an FCS program. This was because the usual starting quarterback, Graham Mertz, was ruled out of the game due to a concussion he obtained near the end of the Gators' Week 1 loss to the Miami Hurricanes.

In his first college start, Lagway played well against Samford, recording 456 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a comprehensive 45-7 victory for Florida. This, compared to the 91 yards that Mertz obtained against Miami, may show that he is the preferred player.

However, this game was against an opposition that was significantly weaker than the Gators, so a performance like that, while still impressive for a freshman, should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Steve Spurrier gives a reason for Graham Mertz starting for the Gators

While Steve Spurrier wants DJ Lagway to be the QB1 for Saturday's game against Texas A&M, he does understand why Graham Mertz would get the role.

“He’s playing with all his teammates, so Mertz has been here with all these guys a little longer," Spurrier said. "So if he starts the game and all this, that, and the other, maybe everybody’s happy and away we go. But obviously, DJ Lagway’s going to play a whole bunch the rest of the season.”

In the end, Graham Mertz, while he has not shown it to begin the season, is an experienced quarterback who knows how to deal with the likes of Texas A&M, something that Lagway does not.