After backing up Graham Mertz for most of the year, redshirt freshman [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag] is now preparing to make his first career start when Florida hosts the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.
Mertz fractured his collarbone during the Gators’ loss to Missouri, exiting midway through the third quarter. Brown checked in and completed four of five passes for 56 yards. A dual threat, Brown also did damage with his legs, totaling 42 yards on seven carries.
With a week to practice with the first team, Brown should look even more comfortable running things, even if it’s against a tough defense. So far, Billy Napier likes the way his new starting quarterback is adjusting.
“I think he’s benefiting from playing with the first team,” Napier said Wednesday during his weekly press conference. “He gets an opportunity to work with that group, all the reps. He typically is working with the second unit, so there’s some advantages there, and I think overall he’s accumulated quite a bit of reps.”
Mertz has stepped into a coaching role, helping guide Brown through the practice week. Napier admitted that it’s been fun to watch the team rally around Brown, adding that the redshirt freshman has earned a new level of respect with his play on Saturday.
“Everyone knows where he started day one, and they know where he’s at now as a player, and I think ultimately they respect that,” he said. “So, it helps that he was productive when he got in the game last week. I think that helps him mentally. But you know, there’ll be some butterflies. You know that’s coming, but Max, he’s done a great job so far this week.”
Florida’s offense should look a bit different with Brown under center. He’s a mobile quarterback, so there should be a designed run or two. The team knows it needs to elevate its play to make up for any miscues their young quarterback commits. But will it be enough to beat an FSU team ranked No. 4 in the land?
We’ll find out what Brown’s made of Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
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