Florida 55, LIU 0
Q. DJ, just how did it feel to be back out there and what did you think of your performance in the first half tonight?
DJ LAGWAY: It felt great to be back out there. I feel like definitely wasn't what I expected to go out there, feel like I definitely could play better. Just as a group I feel like it was very sloppy. I feel like we weren't playing our brand of football. Defensively, they played their butts off, shutout, that's always great when you get a shutout from the defense, you know.
But I feel like offensively, definitely in the first half feel like we started off a little slow. But that's part of it, week one, stuff to build on.
Q. What have you seen just from Tramell throughout fall camp and leading into this week that gave you confidence that he would be able to go out there and perform and what did you think of his performance?
DJ LAGWAY: Oh, man, I'm so proud of Tramell. The things he's dealt with the last year or so with his injury in high school. Man, I'm so proud of him. I'm so excited for his journey. He's going to be a heck of a player.
Q. We haven't talked to you in a while and what's this kind of path to get back on the field been like for you, the patience you have had to show to get to this point and obviously you've only been really practicing a couple of weeks. There had to be some rust I assume.
DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, it's always just a blessing to be out there on the field. I'm just thankful what I've been through this offseason it was definitely hard. I'm just grateful far great group of guys around me. The training staff, Coach Napier having a plan and me sticking to the plan, it was great. It's just like, like I said, I'm happy that I was able to be out there. Definitely wasn't excited the way I played. I fellow like there's things always to clean up on, but I'm just excited to get out there for next week and compete and have fun again.
Q. What did you think of Vernell Brown? True freshman, another weapon out there, you have plenty of them.
DJ LAGWAY: Oh, yeah, it's nothing prizing. He's been doing it all fall camp, all spring ball, so I'm just excited for him to step on the stage he did what he was going to do. I already knew he was going to do that. He's a baller, so, yeah.
Q. I know you maybe didn't play as well as you might have played physically, but how do you think you played mentally getting you guys into the right run plays, getting the checks, communication, how do you think the team did offensively with that part of the game?
DJ LAGWAY: Definitely feel like it was solid. I feel like, like I said, a the whole group can attest to that. We didn't play our brand of football offensively and I feel like it's week one, there's things you can clean up and that's what we're excited to do, clean up for next week.
Q. What's, I guess, now that you've been cleared and been able to practice fully for the last couple of weeks, do you feel as though just based on the circumstances of the offseason that you've almost had to fast-track some of the things that you wanted to work on?
DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, for sure. I feel like this offseason was a whirlwind. I definitely think I got better from it. I learned a lot of different things about myself. Mechanically worked on some things, cleaned up come things, footwork wise and stuff like that, but it's just like, I said, it's a blessing to be out there on the field and time I can step out there with my guys and compete, I'm having fun and I'm happy.
Q. How beneficial do you think that the approach was in spring, for example, when you may not have been throwing passes but you were behind the quarterbacks every play. You were working through it. Billy spoke about you even doing some signal calling from the sidelines.
DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, it was good seeing the game from a different perspective, getting mental reps. It was huge for me seeing the game from a coach's perspective and I feel like it's definitely part of my growth and my development and I feel like in the long run it's going to pay off for sure.
Q. You did get those three touchdown passes, though, in the second quarter. It seemed like you found a rhythm somewhere. Was there a point where it did click and get a little more comfortable for you? How would you describe the night overall if that regard?
DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, for sure. I definitely think it got more comfortable for me as the game went on. I know I need to play better than that and I'm going to play better than that and I'm just thankful you always get another week. You get to start over and you get to prepare and that's what I'm excited for.
Q. We mentioned Vernell and his day, but take me through the emotions of that catch because at first it looks like it was going to be overthrown and he just sticks his paw up and catches the ball. What's going through your mind when you see him?
DJ LAGWAY: I was just like, it was a great play by him and I'm glad he made a play because he was open and he made a heck of a grab and I'm just proud of the guy. He put a tremendous amount of work in, awesome guy, humble kid. I'm glad we got a guy like him on our team.
Q. You mentioned changing some of your mechanics and stuff. What were some of the things you worked on this offseason with Tom to try to get that where you wanted?
DJ LAGWAY: Yeah, it was a lot of things just to help with my general arm health in general, but just little things like shortening up my stroke a little bit and things like that. I feel like it's an ongoing quest. You can never just perfect a mechanic or whatever you want to do. I'm still growing on it today. I'm not just to stop working on it because it's the season but I feel like I can attest with Coach Napier and all the guys around me that are continuing to preach that, preaching the mechanics that we've been working on so it's great.
Q. How did you, once you were able to start throwing and practicing, what did you do to make up for lost time and keep that rhythm with your receivers?
DJ LAGWAY: Definitely mental reps, getting those mental reps, constant communication with my guys and once we got on the field, it just started to click. It wasn't like we weren't missing a step or anything but I feel like when we got tonight field we started to click and stuff like that, so, yeah.
Q. Did you get in the flow state tonight?
DJ LAGWAY: No, I didn't, man. I didn't. Hopefully next week I can do that and play better brand of football. I feel like we didn't play the Gator brand of football offensively. I feel like we ran the ball really well. Kudos to Jadan Baugh. He did really well. Offensively, the pass game, I got to do better and it starts with me.
Q. What's it like to have that kind of running game you just talked about with maybe things aren't going well in the passing game, you can still relay on your backs, either Jadan or Ja'Kobi or whoever.
DJ LAGWAY: It's great. Those backs are really good and I'm thankful to have a group of guys like that in the backfield with me, constant communication about protections. All different types of things. They're so dialled in and I'm so thankful for those guys.
Q. What was it like to finally get back out there on the field in front of that crowd and ultimately get a win today?
DJ LAGWAY: It was great. It's always good to get a dub in The Swamp. I can be hard on myself sometimes but there's some good things on the tape and some bad things, of course. Things to learn on. I'm just excited to get back out there next week.
Q. Off the field for a second, what's it been like to get all these opportunities that you've had, the Jordan Brand Friday, there are many others. What's that been like for you and your family?
DJ LAGWAY: It's truly a blessing to be able to partner with such amazing brands such as Jordan and many other brands. It's truly a blessing. Without the guys on the field with me, none of that would have been possible. It's just resources that the University of Florida provides, none of it would be possible.
I'm just truly thankful to be at a place like the University of Florida which has so many resources that help provide and expand NIL for athletes here.
Q. When you think back to when you were in high school, for example, could you ever have envisioned already, you're just turning 20 years old, having all these opportunities and things?
DJ LAGWAY: Man, no, I could never have imagined this but God works in mysterious ways and I'm just thankful, blessed, and fortunate. I appreciate y'all. Go Gators. Thank y'all.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports