Billy Napier installs Graham Mertz as Gators’ starting quarterback
Graham Mertz transferred from Wisconsin to Florida to become the Gators’ starting quarterback and quickly established himself as the front-runner for the job.
Coach Billy Napier made it official Friday, naming Mertz the starter for the Aug. 31 opener at Utah.
“We’ve seen enough,” Napier said.
Mertz offers experience and leadership 2022 starter Anthony Richardson lacked entering last season. The Gators also hope Mertz’s grasp of the offense and accuracy on short and intermediate passes allows Napier to open up his playbook.
Mertz earned the nod over redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III and redshirt freshman Max Brown.
“The way he prepares for the game is off the charts,” Ohio State transfer linebacker Teradja Mitchell said of Mertz.
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Mertz does not possess Richardson’s arm strength or running ability but could sustain more drives. Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes last season compared with 59.5% for Mertz during three seasons as a starter.
Mertz did not fulfill his promise at Wisconsin, either.
Rated the No. 1 pocket passer in 2019 by ESPN, Mertz left Madison with a middling 19-12 record as a starter and a touchdown-to-interception ration of 38-26.
Napier has said Mertz’s change of scenery provides a “new lease on life” for the 22-year-old.
“You come in, you’re experienced, you’ve got a chip on your shoulder, you’re there with purpose,” Napier said.
Mitchell is well-familiar with Mertz from their days in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes’ book on Mertz?
“You could tell that he was a smart quarterback, that he made smart decisions with the ball,” Mitchell said. “Could definitely manage the game. Great leader.”
Mitchell also praised Miller, his former teammates in Columbus before transferring after the 2021 season.
“The way Jack’s been working since I’ve been here … he’s really matured as a player, as a young man,” said Mitchell, a fifth-year player. “I’m proud of Jack.”
Mertz’s maturity and work ethic turned heads soon after he arrived in Gainesville.
“The big thing I’ve been impressed with is just his ability to come in and learn the system, translate what he knows and apply that to our system — just relentless in approach,” Napier said. “Probably has worked as hard as any player on our team. Probably as hard as a lot of players that I’ve been around in terms of the unseen hours.”
Mertz, who has yet to address reporters during fall camp, understands the responsibility and legacy associated with playing quarterback at Florida.
“Just growing up, Florida football, the history, everything associated with it,” the native of Overland Park, Kan., said during the spring.
The school has produce three Heisman winners: Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow plus a runner-up in Rex Grossman. In 2020, Kyle Trask was a finalist for college football’s top individual honor.
Napier made clear his faith in Mertz to handle the job, giving him the No. 15 jersey worn from 2006-09 by Tim Tebow and the past two seasons by Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
“Graham’s done a great job and he’s worked from the minute he pulled up in the parking lot just a while ago,” Napier said. “He’s continued to work to improve, so been very pleased in that regard. The level of professionalism here is respected.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
