Florida quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] is returning to Gainesville for his final year of college eligibility.
The Wisconsin Badger turned Gator announced his much-anticipated return on Thursday. Mertz started every game except the Florida State matchup in Week 13 due to a fractured collarbone suffered the week prior. He still managed to put up career numbers through 10 games.
Mertz finished 2023 with 2,903 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with just three interceptions. If the touchdown-to-turnover ratio isn’t impressive enough, Mertz finished the year with a .729 completion percentage — the No. 5 mark in the nation.
Florida will welcome five-star quarterback DJ Lagway to Gainesville in the spring, but Mertz is still the clear starter heading into 2024. He wouldn’t return without some guarantee and should be a draft name that’s talked about plenty.
Mertz’s return is hardly a surprise. Reports of redshirt freshman Max Brown’s transfer all but guaranteed a sixth year of college ball for No. 15. Hopefully, he can lead Florida to its first winning season in four years.
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.