I didn't say he couldn't pickup a new system. I was alluding to year one vs year two jump in the same system.
If he stays... he starts. That is as much of a guaranteed as you can get in the SEC. Why would he walk away from that? I also think that if he were leaning towards leaving, that we'd see a mass exodus in the recruits and players that are currently on the team. I don't see that happening right now.
Percentage is high but it's not a guarantee. If it's Kiffin, he may get one of QBs from OM to transfer over. They would already know his system and can hit the ground running. He has Walker Howard and Austin Simmons behind Dart.
Not even Kiffin is dumb enough not to mess up DJ's chance to win that spot. Kiffin recruited Lagway to Ole Miss too. He knows how to draw out the best in Lagway... probably better than most coaches in college football. As far as QBs go... Kiffin is one of the best at developing that QB talent, and one of the best at showcasing their skills. DJ is only scratching the surface of what he will become as a QB.
Mertz is a superior QB right now. As long as getting DJ reps Is not hurting the offense game flow I am cool with it. Once we are guaranteed a losing record I think he should play more, until then Mertz should be the starter. DJ has a big arm, but it looked like a lot of wobbly passes to me Saturday. He definitely has potential to be good. Not sure of who he reminds me of at this point. Samford is really bad. If BN is fired he is probably gone., maybe Kiffin could keep him.
No question who the starter is, but we're discussing how Napier IS using D J Lagway in games as a QB2. I think Napier did a fantastic job in playing D J in spot duty when the game as still actually on the line.
The game time experience is equally important because that teaches Lagway what to expect on the field, which means that he's going to be ahead of the curve in the hardest part of the game. Yes, learning a new offense will present some challenges, but not as much as playing in a real live action football game.
It should be no question who the starter is, but then there are fans who think DJ should be starting. The rotation against A&M probably was one of the reasons we lost that game. It was terrible game management. Yesterday, was much better. DJ, looks like a guy learning to play QB in college so far to me.
I agree that making a decision ahead of time is just coaching malpractice. You have to be flexible enough to know when to make a change, and when to ride the hot hand.
I thought BN's "model" for bringing DJ in has improved somewhat after four attempts to find a viable approach. Frankly, we can't just play for wins in the here and now, despite the dire need to do just that. IMHO, anything we can do to bring DJ as far along as possible, will help solidify his commitment to the program and improve his readiness to take the helm in '25 - if he does stay in Gainesville.
Same reason why AR was going to transfer had he not gone pro - on any Top 15 team, he will excel to heights unthinkable in our program. Can you imagine him behind Miami's line? Or Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia? Even Mizzou's line is better than any we have had in 15 years. A QB can't put up great numbers if he's running for his life at the snap.
You're assuming we're keeping Napier? I highly doubt he will get a 4th year. Why would anyone (player) leave before we know who will be our next head ball coach? No one can tell us what kind of coach, and O-line, we will have next year, so your assumption about that above is probably based on more status quo than what will happen WHEN we get the new head football coach. If we keep the same coach, then I would assume, like you, that nothing on the O-line will change. But unlike you, I think all that changes with the new coaching staff. JD is smart enough to know what's about to happen, and I very much doubt he simply decides to jump ship because we got a new coach... a far better coach?
The transfer portal window opens 12/9/24 and closes 1/7/25 We might not have a coach named before then if we are targeting someone who is in the playoffs. And that coach still has to hire staff which can lead into February. Also the players need time to enroll in whatever new school they transfer to. So the earlier that is final, the better it is for them
