When DJ Lagway went down last year, walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner was thrown into the fire against Georgia and Texas. Things didn’t go the way he wanted, but Warner looks much improved after spending an entire spring with the program.
Warner threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns for the Blue team in Florida’s spring game on Saturday, winning the game behind standout performances from his running backs, Ja’Kobi Jackson (198 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Jadan Baugh (56 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards). Warner got to work with Vernell Brown III in his receiving corps, finding the true freshman four times for 34 yards. Aidan Mizell and tight end Hayden Hansen caught touchdowns from him.
After the game, Warner spoke to the media about his experience and development. Here’s what he had to say.
On getting back on the field, winning spring game
“It was great. Every day you get to go compete in The Swamp is a great day. You touched on the running backs. Obviously, having Jack Cheese (Ja’Kobi Jackson) and Jadan Baugh in the backfield makes it a lot easier for me. But yeah, I mean, it’s great to be in the swamp. Great to compete in the swamp.”
On Dallas Wilson’s performance
“I was watching. The kid is unreal. Yeah, I wish he was on my team. The kid’s a stud… He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s making plays that people his size shouldn’t be making and he’s a freshman. He’s competing with our DBs, who are some of the best I think in the SEC, and he’s super young. So, his ceiling is — the sky’s the limit for him now.” And how about for now I think yeah I mean same thing with him.”
On Vernell Brown III
“Same thing with him. I mean, these young guys, they’re different, to say the least. These young guys, the sky’s the limit for their potential.”
On DJ Lagway, opportunities with injury
“DJ being out, not throwing the ball gave me the opportunity to throw the ball every practice and take a lot of those first team reps, throwing with those guys, like Vernell and J-Mike (Sturdivant). It’s an opportunity that I’m super grateful for because like you said, last year, it didn’t go exactly how I would want it to, but this is an opportunity to get back on my feet and, compete and get better.”
On preparation time with team last year, this year
“I kind of got thrown in there, but that’s the opportunity we ask for. That’s the opportunity I want, so every day just coming back competing, trying to get better and step up when they need me.”
On Harrison Bailey
“It’s great. Losing Graham, so having another guy who’s been there and done that and have experience playing here, it’s great to have him in the room. It’s somebody to learn from and somebody to take advice from because like I said, he’s been there. He’s played in the SEC. Another veteran. The room is super cool.”
On playing at Yale
“Well, I didn’t get to take many snaps at Yale, but it was it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’d say just being a student there was super cool, being in New Haven, Connecticut. Football too. I mean, playing Harvard. 50,000 people in the stadium. It’s quite a cool experience.”
Why transfer to Florida, specifically
“I entered the transfer portal and I got the opportunity to walk on here. Growing up a Gators fan, it’s the dream to be here in The Swamp and compete in The Swamp like I got the opportunity to do today. So, when Napier gave me that opportunity, it was hard to say no.”
On playing last year, Georgia game
“It’s the moment you dream of. So, be ready. Play, step up when they need you because the team’s relying on you. I thought I was ready to compete and do what I do.’
“When I step on the field now, I put myself in that situation. I put myself in Georgia, I put myself in Texas because now I know that’s — I mean, you want to play in the SEC, that’s what you got to do. So I think now taking every practice, every scrimmage, every spring game as an opportunity to get better and be ready for that moment when my name is called.”
On improvement over the offseason
“Especially having this opportunity this spring, I think it’s a world of difference, and I’m super grateful to have that opportunity to get better because I think I can keep getting better as I go and keep getting these reps.”
“I’d say the system’s one of the biggest (areas of improvement). Just getting all the reps, really understanding the system and really trying to accomplish exactly what Napier is trying to accomplish with every play. And then, Coach (Ryan) O’Hara has been really good with developing me as a quarterback. Making the right reads, making the right throws, being accurate, being decisive, that kind of stuff.”
On confidence boost from spring game
“It’s huge, but, at the end of the day, I know what I can do. I’ve gone out there and practiced and I think I’ve been able to step up. But I mean, definitely doing it with everybody watching is super cool for me. It’s a dream of mine. So definitely huge appreciate. Thank you. Thank you.
Are you technically still a walk-on?
Yes.
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.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators QB Aidan Warner quotes from Orange and Blue Game
When DJ Lagway went down last year, walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner was thrown into the fire against Georgia and Texas. Things didn’t go the way he wanted, but Warner looks much improved after spending an entire spring with the program.
Warner threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns for the Blue team in Florida’s spring game on Saturday, winning the game behind standout performances from his running backs, Ja’Kobi Jackson (198 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Jadan Baugh (56 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards). Warner got to work with Vernell Brown III in his receiving corps, finding the true freshman four times for 34 yards. Aidan Mizell and tight end Hayden Hansen caught touchdowns from him.
After the game, Warner spoke to the media about his experience and development. Here’s what he had to say.
On getting back on the field, winning spring game
“It was great. Every day you get to go compete in The Swamp is a great day. You touched on the running backs. Obviously, having Jack Cheese (Ja’Kobi Jackson) and Jadan Baugh in the backfield makes it a lot easier for me. But yeah, I mean, it’s great to be in the swamp. Great to compete in the swamp.”
On Dallas Wilson’s performance
“I was watching. The kid is unreal. Yeah, I wish he was on my team. The kid’s a stud… He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s making plays that people his size shouldn’t be making and he’s a freshman. He’s competing with our DBs, who are some of the best I think in the SEC, and he’s super young. So, his ceiling is — the sky’s the limit for him now.” And how about for now I think yeah I mean same thing with him.”
On Vernell Brown III
“Same thing with him. I mean, these young guys, they’re different, to say the least. These young guys, the sky’s the limit for their potential.”
On DJ Lagway, opportunities with injury
“DJ being out, not throwing the ball gave me the opportunity to throw the ball every practice and take a lot of those first team reps, throwing with those guys, like Vernell and J-Mike (Sturdivant). It’s an opportunity that I’m super grateful for because like you said, last year, it didn’t go exactly how I would want it to, but this is an opportunity to get back on my feet and, compete and get better.”
On preparation time with team last year, this year
“I kind of got thrown in there, but that’s the opportunity we ask for. That’s the opportunity I want, so every day just coming back competing, trying to get better and step up when they need me.”
On Harrison Bailey
“It’s great. Losing Graham, so having another guy who’s been there and done that and have experience playing here, it’s great to have him in the room. It’s somebody to learn from and somebody to take advice from because like I said, he’s been there. He’s played in the SEC. Another veteran. The room is super cool.”
On playing at Yale
“Well, I didn’t get to take many snaps at Yale, but it was it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’d say just being a student there was super cool, being in New Haven, Connecticut. Football too. I mean, playing Harvard. 50,000 people in the stadium. It’s quite a cool experience.”
Why transfer to Florida, specifically
“I entered the transfer portal and I got the opportunity to walk on here. Growing up a Gators fan, it’s the dream to be here in The Swamp and compete in The Swamp like I got the opportunity to do today. So, when Napier gave me that opportunity, it was hard to say no.”
On playing last year, Georgia game
“It’s the moment you dream of. So, be ready. Play, step up when they need you because the team’s relying on you. I thought I was ready to compete and do what I do.’
“When I step on the field now, I put myself in that situation. I put myself in Georgia, I put myself in Texas because now I know that’s — I mean, you want to play in the SEC, that’s what you got to do. So I think now taking every practice, every scrimmage, every spring game as an opportunity to get better and be ready for that moment when my name is called.”
On improvement over the offseason
“Especially having this opportunity this spring, I think it’s a world of difference, and I’m super grateful to have that opportunity to get better because I think I can keep getting better as I go and keep getting these reps.”
“I’d say the system’s one of the biggest (areas of improvement). Just getting all the reps, really understanding the system and really trying to accomplish exactly what Napier is trying to accomplish with every play. And then, Coach (Ryan) O’Hara has been really good with developing me as a quarterback. Making the right reads, making the right throws, being accurate, being decisive, that kind of stuff.”
On confidence boost from spring game
“It’s huge, but, at the end of the day, I know what I can do. I’ve gone out there and practiced and I think I’ve been able to step up. But I mean, definitely doing it with everybody watching is super cool for me. It’s a dream of mine. So definitely huge appreciate. Thank you. Thank you.
Are you technically still a walk-on?
Yes.
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.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators QB Aidan Warner quotes from Orange and Blue Game
