CBS Sports’ one burning question heading into Florida’s spring game
Florida football’s annual spring Orange and Blue game is a little over two weeks away and following a second-straight losing season, this year’s Gators squad has no shortage of questions heading into the intrasquad matchup. Now that Billy Napier has more than a full year under his belt at the head of the program, however, things should be becoming a bit more clear.
Unfortunately, the Orange and Blue are dealing with a troublesome issue under center. With Anthony Richardson now departed for the NFL draft and the Jaden Rashada saga leaving the Gators empty-handed in the 2023 recruiting class, the biggest question for the team remains at the most important position on the field: quarterback.
CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee recently surveyed the Southeastern Conference for each member school’s most pressing issue heading into April, including the question of whether transfer QB Graham Mertz is the guy to lead Florida to its first winning record in three seasons or not. Here is Sallee’s take on the topic.
Is Graham Mertz the guy? Anthony Richardson chose to leave for the NFL after one year as the Gators’ starter, and coach Billy Napier hit the transfer portal and lured Graham Mertz way from Wisconsin. Mertz signed with the Badgers with a lot of hype coming out of high school but failed to live up to expectations in Madison. If Mertz does take over as QB1, how will the offense change? Richardson was a monster on the ground, but Mertz doesn’t have that weapon in his arsenal. Jack Miller is hot on Mertz’s heels this spring, but Napier has another transfer portal window that opens on May 1 to go shopping if he so chooses.
Florida’s annual Orange and Blue game is scheduled for Thursday, April 13, with a 7:30 p.m. EDT kickoff time inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.
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