The senior quarterback had made a successful comeback from a concussion and performed well enough for Napier to choose him as the starter. However, Napier was also keen on incorporating an inexperienced, dual-threat quarterback who could contribute to the team’s immediate success while also developing into a future leader.
Nunez listened to his coach’s reasoning and accepted the decision.
“I was completely on board with that choice,” Nunez stated this week. “It turned out to be beneficial for both of us.”
Now, six years later, Napier faces a comparable scenario with his Florida Gators, mirroring the situation he and Nunez experienced at Louisiana. Napier needs to balance the experience of a senior transfer quarterback returning from a concussion (Graham Mertz) with the promising potential of a highly athletic freshman (DJ Lagway). Napier and the eager Gators fan base are hopeful that this approach will be successful as they prepare for Saturday’s game against Texas A&M.
Nunez believes it will.
“Just trust the process, man,” Nunez advised.
Nunez placed his trust in 2018, though he didn’t have many options.
After transferring from a junior college, he had only started twice the previous year. When he was sidelined by a concussion, freshman Levi Lewis received more playing time.
When Napier took over in December 2017, he allowed the competition to play out during camp before naming Nunez as the starter. However, Napier also recognized that Lewis had earned some playing time as well.
Nunez was scheduled to manage the first three series, followed by Lewis taking the fourth. After that, Nunez would handle the next three series, with one additional series assigned to Lewis.
Nunez reflected, “I did everything I could to make the most of those chances.”
To ensure neither quarterback feared making mistakes or being benched, Napier adhered to the rotation plan regardless of the outcomes.
During a regular-season game against Appalachian State, Nunez’s initial three drives resulted in two three-and-outs and a fumble. Lewis then came in, guided the Ragin’ Cajuns on an eight-play, 75-yard drive ending in a touchdown pass, and returned to the bench. Louisiana eventually lost 27-17.
In the final regular-season game against Louisiana Monroe, Nunez started strongly, completing 9-of-9 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns in his first three series. Yet, Napier still substituted him with Lewis for the fourth series in a 31-28 victory.
Nunez commented, “The approach never wavered, regardless of whether things were going well or not. He’s a man of his word.”
While Napier hasn’t revealed exact plans for Lagway and Mertz this week, he indicated they will likely have set guidelines for the game to avoid surprising anyone, including the rest of the offense.
Nunez, similar to Mertz, was primarily a pocket passer with a 63.4% completion rate and 20 touchdown passes, ranking third in the Sun Belt Conference. On the other hand, Lewis, like Lagway, was known for his running ability.
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