QB Graham Mertz sharp and other takeaways from Florida football's first fall camp practice

Florida football opened fall camp with the first of its 15 practices on Monday afternoon at the Sanders Practice Fields.

Here are three quick observations from the 15-minute open portion of practice.

Florida QB Graham Mertz looks sharp in passing drills

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz was accurate during passing drills on Monday, taking the first snap ahead of Jack Miller and Max Brown,

Mertz's best pass came when he hit wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in stride on a slant route and also found Caleb Douglas in stride on a sideline pattern.

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Miller also made a few nice throws, including one that walk-on Taylor Spierto hauled in with a leaping grab along the sideline.

Florida coach Billy Napier hasn't set a timetable on the decision to name a starter at quarterback but had mentioned the possibility of doing so after the first scrimmage on August 10. Mertz, a Wisconsin transfer with 32 career starts, appears to have a leg up on Miller.'

"He just got here, but he acts like he's been here," Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. said. "He leads the team. He talks to us in a way like a coach would talk to us."

Tight end Jonathan Odom caught passes in non-contact jersey

Odom suffered a serious knee injury in the Las Vegas Bowl that forced him out of spring drills. But he appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Last season, Odom worked his way up the tight end depth chart, showing strong blocking ability and a knack for getting open in the red zone. If Odom is fully healthy, he could figure into the starting tight end competition with incumbent starter Dante Zanders and redshirt freshman Arlis Boardingham, who is coming off a strong spring.

Freshman Euguene Wilson III in non-contact jersey

Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III also began camp working out on the side in a non-contact jersey. Wilson, a four-star incoming freshman slot receiver, had impressed teammates in summer workouts with his speed and elusiveness.

Also working out on the side with strength coach Mark Hocke were receiver Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman and walk-on receiver Brian Green.

Left guard Micah Mazzccua, coming off shoulder surgery, worked out with the offensive line in blocking drills in a non-contact jersey.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football begins practice. Here are three Gators takeaways