Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is expected to make his first career collegiate start on Saturday against Samford.

Gators head coach Billy Napier told reporters the news on Wednesday evening. Lagway is getting the call with signal-caller Graham Mertz, who started the team's season opener against Miami last Saturday, still advancing through the concussion protocol.

Lagway is a 5-star prospect out of Willis, Texas. 247Sports ranked Lagway third overall on its list of high school class of 2024 prospects.

The freshman took over for Mertz in the second half of the team's 41-17 loss to Miami. Lagway finished with 31 passing yards and an interception on 3-of-6 passing. He fared well on the ground with four carries for 20 yards.

Napier provided his thoughts on Lagway's play.

"I think he did a lot of good things, in particular the second drive there we got to some things where he had success," Napier said, per Grant Grubbs of On3.

"Threw some great individual cuts, some good movement passes, made a few plays with his feet. I thought the players around him played well.

"It's good. One of the positives was he had some success, and we were able to go down and score a touchdown with him in the game. Obviously, he's a young player, but he'll continue to work and improve. He's got a bright future."

Lagway, the 2023 Gatorade Football Player of the Year, has been given a tough task. The Gators are coming off a brutal loss to an in-state rival, and there's naturally a ton of pessimism surrounding Napier and the entire football program at this point.

Florida went 6-7 in Napier's first season (2022) and 5-7 last year. The Gators are staring down another losing record in 2024, given the team's opening loss coupled with a brutal schedule that includes five teams in the Top 20 (No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Texas, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 14 Tennessee and No. 18 LSU).

It's unfair to assume Lagway will, or should, come in and save the season. He does provide exceptional potential through the air and on the ground, though, and will get a full chance to show his talents Saturday.

On paper, Florida should win the game. Samford is a Division I-FCS school that opened the season with a 38-29 loss to West Georgia. Of course, it isn't uncommon for FCS schools to upset FBS programs, and Florida is reeling right now.

We'll see how it all goes down soon enough as Lagway and the Gators welcome Samford into town on Saturday for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.