Graham Mertz named Florida football’s starting quarterback
The wait is finally over for Florida football fans.
On Friday afternoon, Gators head coach Billy Napier announced to the team that Wisconsin Badgers transfer Graham Mertz has earned the starting quarterback job to open the 2023 campaign. The decision comes as little surprise, given that the redshirt junior has taken a majority of the QB1 reps during off-season workouts.
“I think 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,” Napier said. “And then just, you know, relentless in approach. Probably’s worked as hard as any player on our team. Probably as hard as a lot of players that I’ve been around, you know, in terms of the unseen hours, right?
“Those are what I’m talking about specifically, and the self-discipline, to have a system, a process, a routine, to work, to connect with players, ask very intelligent questions, and is anticipating problems, right. So, Graham’s done a great job and he’s worked from the minute he pulled up in the parking lot until, you know, just a while ago, he’s continued to work to improve, so been very pleased in that regard. The level of professionalism here that I think is respected.”
Mertz’s four seasons in the Big Ten make him one of the more experienced signal callers in the Southeastern Conference, but it is well known that the SEC is a whole different beast when it comes to the level of competition. Nonetheless, those starting reps up at Wisconsin have him mentally ahead of the game coming into the Swamp.
“I think he’s doing exactly what you would want a veteran quarterback to do,” Napier said recently. “This is like acquiring a free agent that has played multiple years as a starter. He’s learning our system, he’s embraced our methods, our way of doing things… I’ve been very impressed.”
The 6-foot-3-inch, 218-pound passer went 19-13 record as a starter in his four seasons with the Badgers, amassing 2,136 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season for the best overall performance of his collegiate career. However, Mertz was sacked 23 times on a run-dominant offense but hopefully, Florida’s offensive line can protect him a little better this fall.
Redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III, a former Ohio State Buckeyes transfer who lost out to Mertz for the starting role, will serve as the backup to start the season; redshirt freshman Max Brown will presumably serve as the third-string option.
The Gators opened camp Sunday, July 30, and the team held its first practice of the 2023 season on Monday, July 31. Florida opens its 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes on Aug. 31, with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT.
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
