Florida quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] went down with a fractured collarbone against Missouri last year, preventing him from playing the final game of the season against Florida State. Mertz announced his return to the Swamp over the offseason, now we know when he’ll be back on the field for the Gators.
Head coach Billy Napier provided a critical update on Mertz Wednesday during his national signing day press conference.
“Graham will definitely be ready to go,” Napier said when asked about Mertz’s availability for spring camp.
The Gators begin camp on March 7 and finish on April 13 with the Orange and Blue Game. Hopefully, Mertz picks up right where he left off in 2023 as one of the most accurate passers in the country.
The bad news is that Napier couldn’t say as much for Shemar James, Justus Boone or Cam Carroll. Boone and Carroll are both coming off ACL tear suffered during the fall, and James’ season ended against Georgia with a dislocated kneecap that required surgery.
“I think some of those others that you mentioned are to be determined,” he said. “We’ll keep you updated, but Graham will be ready.”
James is the heart of the defense and was projected to return for spring practice at the time of his injury. Now that Mertz is in the clear, he’s the next big injury focus on the roster.
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