The Florida Gators will be leaning heavily on their incumbent starting quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] this season as they look to snap a three-season losing streak. It will not be easy for the Orange and Blue, but the former transfer just might be up to the task.
ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenberg recently put together an aggregation of opinions on starting quarterbacks gathered from college football head and assistant coaches and Mertz was one of many who earned an entry. While the former Badger has been somewhat of a mixed bag in Gainesville he does offer a stead hand calling the plays under center.
“Although Florida’s 2023 season did not go well for the team, Mertz revived his career under coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag],” Rittenberg begins. “The Wisconsin transfer had career highs in completions (261), passing yards (2,903), touchdown passes (20), completion percentage (72.9), passing average (263.9 YPG) and efficiency (157.8), while throwing a career-low three interceptions.”
Those stats put up in Gainesville were vast improvements upon his efforts back in Madison.
“Mertz, the highest-rated quarterback recruit in Wisconsin history, never completed more than 61.1% of his passes in a full season with the Badgers, but he did so in every start last fall for the Gators, eclipsing 79% in five consecutive games with no multi-interception performances.”
However, an SEC coach suggested that his numbers are “misleading” because the Gators often played from behind; nonetheless, his peers noted his improvements made under Napier.
“He’s a good processor, he knows where he wants to go with the ball,” said a defensive coordinator who will face Mertz. “You can tell he’s coached up well, he doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions, and he’s athletic enough to get away from the rush.”
An SEC defensive coordinator followed suit by offering the idea that lacking top wide receiver [autotag]Ricky Pearsall[/autotag] — an NFL first-round draft pick — will be a major trammel in his efforts but at least there is Eugene Wilson III to fill that void.
“He’s smart, he’s efficient,” another SEC defensive coordinator said of Mertz. “I don’t think he throws the deep ball very well, with accuracy. He’s better than people give him credit for. He’s really, really smart.”
Florida’s season opener for 2024
The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in Gainesville, Florida to open their schedule for the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC Sports.
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