Latest news with #2025SEC
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football QB DJ Lagway speaks at 2025 SEC Media Days
It was the Florida Gators' turn at the podium on Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta during the 2025 SEC media days event, and among the members of the Orange and Blue to take the stage and field questions from the press was starting quarterback DJ Lagway. The topics on hand ranged from Lagway's offseason recovery from some nagging injuries to expectations for the upcoming campaign. He also discussed his relationship with the coaches and fellow team members, including fellow SEC media days representatives Jake Slaughter and Caleb Banks. Below is a look at an abridged transcription from Lagway's moment in the spotlight at the 2025 SEC media days event, focusing on his responses most germane to the Orange and Blue. Where are you looking to grow personally — whether a mechanical or mental perspective? "I'm definitely looking to improve on more coverage recognition and knowing where the defense is going to be and truly knowing their responsibilities and also knowing my teammates' responsibilities better." Last year, LSU came into the Swamp. You basically helped lead them with one good leg. What do you remember about that game? "I remember that whole week it was a lot of ups and downs mentally, just figuring out what's the plan going to be, if I'm going to even be able to be out there. But once we hit Thursday, it's time to lock in — we've got to go get this W, doesn't really matter. "Playing against a great LSU team, they were good last year. And I'm excited to go to Death Valley this year, and it's going to be fun." What were the most challenging things about getting on the field in the SEC as early in your career as you did? "I would say the most challenging thing was really just time management, going from being in high school and then going to SEC, big-time college football, it's a big difference. Especially where I'm from a little town,Willis, Texas, it's a big difference. "Once I got adjusted to that and adjusted to knowing the offense and knowing where my people were at, that's why I'm excited for this year because I know where my people are at. Now I can know where the defense is at and get better at that." What do you remember about that Texas A&M game? How much are you looking forward to playing this year at Kyle Field? "I'm definitely excited to go back play at Kyle Field. I've been in, like, a lot of games at Kyle Field. For me to be able to play in one that's going to be surreal, having all my family, my teammates, my classmates, my coaches, teachers all of them being at the game, it's going to be fun." As a freshman, most players don't come in thinking they have to kind of put the world on their shoulders. But when you were kind of thrust in there, that's exactly what happened. For sure. How much did speculation about Coach Napier and his job status actually impact you? "When I'm out there playing, I'm just thinking about playing ball. I'm worried about trying to figure out, my freshman year, trying to figure out where my guys were going. Every time I step on the field, that's when life just kind of stopped for me. It's, like, playing ball and just being just in the moment. "My biggest thing last year, I always wanted to get into some kind of flow state. Flow state is where you're just moving, it's just natural, everything happens naturally. That's where I wanted to be at every game." What is it like to play in front of the fans in the Swamp? "Words can't even explain it, playing in the Swamp. The fans bring it each and every Saturday. I'm just thankful to be a part of it, and be able to be in the Swamp, and they're rooting for us and chewing us and giving us that true advantage." How much confidence does your first-half performance against UGA last season give you going into this year's matchup? "It gives me a lot of confidence that, you know, it doesn't matter who really is out there. It's all about us. It's all about how we prepare and how we go out there and treat the week. "Watching that game, after I got hurt, it was the hardest thing. I hated that. I just wanted to be out there with my guys. That's all I want to do is just play football. Seeing that, it was hard. But definitely giving me the confidence for next year to go out there and play." Having guys like Jake and Caleb return, having that continuity with upperclassmen, does that raise internal expectations for you? "I'd say not expectations. We're not really worried about that. We're just worried about one day at a time and just loving on each other, getting better. That's really what it's about. And the brotherhood that we've built and the camaraderie that we have is just amazing. I'm excited just to showcase it to the world." How will Jadan Baugh play a role in the offense this season? "Jadan Baugh is a huge part of the offense. I'm excited for him. He's been working his tail off this offseason. He's definitely going to help us a lot this year." Aside from something like leadership, what do you think your best attribute is as a quarterback? Do you have anybody that you model yourself after? "My best attribute as a quarterback is really just — I'd say just my, as people would say, I guess my aura, confidence, and just the way I portray myself on game day. My teammates always joke around about, like, they say that I'm a totally different person on game day. It kind of oozes out of me. And it's just great to be able to be that formy guys." Looking around the conference at some of the other quarterbacks, how would you evaluate the level of play at the quarterback position? "There's a lot of good quarterbacks in the SEC right now. It's just great to see, to be able to competeagainst some of them and to watch them further their careers and stuff like that down the road. I'm excited for them. Always praying for them." How do you manage the pressure of being the starting quarterback at UF, especially after the way you played last season? "I always say that pressure is a privilege. Once you have privilege, that means people are counting on you to do big things. I'm always excited when people say pressure. That's why I just love the game day atmosphere because it feels like all eyes are on you and you've got to put on a show. That's what I'm excited for." How do you internalize and handle that pressure? "The way I handle pressure and all that stuff, I kind of prepare during the week like crazy. And preparation leads to confidence. So once I get to Saturday, I already know that I put all the work in and did what I needed to do. And kudos to the coaching staff. "They prepare us like crazy, Coach O'Hara and Coach Napier, they put together a plan for the quarterbacks and the team in general. When we get out there, we already know what's going to happen, dang near. So it's great." How do you think your faith helps you as a leader, especially through the ups and downs of a typical football season? "I definitely say faith is a huge part of my life. Having God as the foundation has been wonderful because, as you said, there's a lot of ups and downs on the football field, even in life, but having that foundation tokeep me strong is beneficial." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football DT Caleb Banks speaks at 2025 SEC Media Days
The Florida Gators finally got their turn at the podium at the 2025 SEC media days event held in Atlanta, and among those representing the Gators this summer was redshirt senior defensive tackle Caleb Banks, who answered the press' questions on Wednesday afternoon. The queries were focused mainly on his impression of the coaching staff, the team's chances at success this coming season, as well as the status of quarterback DJ Lagway — who also fielded questions from the press. Below is a look at an abridged transcription from Banks' moment in the spotlight at the 2025 SEC media days event, focusing on his responses most germane to the Orange and Blue. Can you tell us what kind of offseason you've had heading into this season here? "It's been a great offseason. I'm just getting better with my teammates and just developing my game in all types of ways. It's been great." What's the coaching message for this year? "Spot the ball." I know DJ was limited this summer, but just what have you seen from him and his progress and development? "DJ, he's a great player. DJ, he's developing every day as well, getting his body together. He's doing everything he can to help us and the team be productive." Describe playing for Coach Napier and what you tell folks about him "Coach, he's a great coach. He's one of the greatest coaches I've ever been with. When I was at Louisville, I didn't have much film, but when I transferred, he believed in me and I really appreciate that. He put me in the best spot to be productive, and I'm here now at SEC media days. So he's a great guy." You opted to come back for this season... could you share a little bit more about your reason behind that? "It wasn't just DJ Lagway, it was the whole entire team. I wanted to come back and play with my guys and be the first male in my family to graduate, first generation to graduate. I felt it was very important. And to come back get a national championship and of course have a higher draft stock for the NFL in the future." What kind of gives you optimism about this year's squad, that this year's Florida Gators is going to be better than last year? "We work hard every day. I watch those guys work every single day. I watch how hard they work, how much work they put in day in and day out, the extra time they put in. It's the little things as well. I feel like it's going to be a really great year for us." Was there a time last year — before he got put in as a starter — that you knew that DJ was going to be everything he was billed to be? "I used to watch his film in high school. He's a dude. Just the little things that he do, like to critique his game, I think he's a great player. Once he went in, we didn't have no type of doubt that he would be able to takeover and be able to help us win that game. I watch him in practice. I've been in the back a long time, practicing with him. I watch how — he's a good guy, a good player." You talked about improving your draft stock. What do you think you have to work on the most? "My run game. I think my run game will be the biggest thing for me this year. My pass rush. Honestly, everything. My pad level, I think I can improve in everything. There's always room for improvement. Just got to keep going." The team ended on a high note, on that winning streak. How do you kind of carry that momentum from last season into a new year? "Honestly, I think it's a mindset thing. I think if we have the right mindset going into the season this year and we have a great fall camp, we'll be able to go out and be successful this year." What's it like as a player to hear and see the headlines or the speculation about your coach's job status? "You know, we all believe in Coach Napier. We know he's a great guy, a great coach. And we believe in everything he's done for us. He puts us in a great position every single day with everything that we do. We love him." Florida's a program that has its share of rivalry games. Do you have a particular favorite game to play? "I'm looking forward to every single game, honestly. I don't have anyone picked out. I'm ready to play ball." What do you remember from the Texas A&M game last year? How much are you looking forward to going on the road this time to Kyle Field? "That was a great game. We had our times — they shot at us we shot at them. I feel this upcoming season, if we just be more disciplined with certain things as a defense, we can have a great year and a great game against them." What do you remember from last year's game against Georgia? And what is the team's mindset going into this year? "That was a great game. Georgia was a good game. We almost had them. I feel like we almost had them. "Honestly, like, we've just got to get them next time. Nothing else to say about that. We'll see them soon. Just gotta play our best game we can play." What's it like playing in front of that crowd as part of the Gators? "It's crazy. It's probably the craziest environment I've ever played in. I love our fans. I love the Florida Gators. I feel like the Swamp is just the best place to play at night and in the daytime. They bring it anytime. It's amazing." What role did the LSU game play in your late resurgence last year? What did that win mean for you guys moving forward? "It was a really big win for us. We wanted to be able to prove to everybody we can beat a top team. They kind of thought we couldn't. We had to prove to ourselves and everybody else that we can do it. Simple asthat." What's it feel like when you're winning and the third quarter is over and they play the song, how does that feel? "It's amazing. Every time I look up in the sky, I just thank God we're in the position we're in. If we'relosing or winning, I'm just here in a beautiful place around amazing people. It's amazing." Do you sing along with it or not? "I do all the time, all the time." A lot of great Gators have come through there. Any there any that have helped you or that you have gotten to know? "B(randon) Spikes, he's one of the coolest (indiscernible) I've run into. He loves the Florida Gators. He reminds me every day why I'm here and what I'm doing it for. Good guy." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama attendees officially revealed for 2025 SEC football media days
The Alabama Crimson Tide lineup set to appear at 2025 SEC football media days next week in Atlanta, Georgia is now officially set. Announced by the conference Tuesday, Alabama will be sending three players to SEC football media days, each of which will be making their first-ever appearance at the SEC's premier offseason event. That trio will be offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, defensive tackle Tim Keenan III, and inside linebacker Deontae Lawson, with the group also joined by Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. Last year, Alabama was represented by quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive guard Tyler Booker, and safety Malachi Moore at SEC football media days, each of which were team captains for the Crimson Tide a year ago alongside of Lawson. DeBoer, as well as the players, will speak to the media on Wednesday, July 17. Joining the Crimson Tide that day will be Florida (Billy Napier), Mississippi State (Jeff Lebby), and Oklahoma (Brent Venables). A multi-day event, 2025 SEC football media days will take place from Monday, July 14 through Thursday, July 17 at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park and The College Football Hall of Fame. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
