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- Dec 22, 2011
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Logically, what you are saying makes the most sense.
However, if you watch Lagway play, it’s very clear he is an upgrade. He passes the eye test.
I've watched Lagway play. I was at the UM-UF game and I actually saw most of the Samford-UF game on ESPN+.
Here's the reality. Against UM backups, Lagway had a 3-and-out where he got sacked, he had a scoring drive, and he threw an interception. Those were his three drives. He engineered a score 1 out of 3 times against Division I-A backups, and had the two worst possible offensive outcomes (3-and-out and a turnover) on the other two drives.
Then, against a terrible Samford team, Lagway managed to score on only 50% of his drives (6 of 12), up from 33% the week before. Also, the vast majority of his yardage came on 7 plays. So, sure, I get it, The Gator finally got into Slingblade Billy's "explosive plays" bag. Yay.
So you have to look at two things with "immediately anointing Lagway as the lord and savior of The Gator" as a true freshman. Yes, Lagway wins on "pure talent", but the first aspect on which Murda has an edge is that he has already performed against SEC teams and better competition than SAMFORD. Is it everything you want? Maybe not. But Lagway, even with projections, is still an unknown in that regard. Second, you have to consider the risk of injury and/or loss of confidence. Even against Division I-A BACKUPS (vs. Miami), Lagway was sacked on the first series RIGHT AFTER Murda Mertz was concussed. And on the third drive, after Miami adjusted to Lagway's style, DJ was picked off. So maybe, just maybe, you are risking negative outcomes for a very talented kid who might need some time (not much, maybe just a few games) to get his feet wet.
And that prior paragraph needs to be considered with the rest of the picture. WHAT CAN BE GAINED? Does anyone seriously expect more than 4 more wins on that schedule, even WITH Lagway starting? AND WHO BENEFITS? Slingblade Billy keeps his job for another year, only to NOT be given enough support for NIL or new coaches to make the payoff of "play the freshmen" work out?
It's just weird. Nobody denies Lagway's talent. ****, maybe Miami fans have a vested interest, we don't want Lagway to get hurt before he transfers to Miami. But still, I don't think it is such a slamdunk move to start him immediately after the fool's gold of SAMFORD. It's a desperate move, sure. But maybe not such a smart move.