The NCAA transfer portal has become a de facto form of free agency for college sports in recent years, rapidly changing the landscape when it comes to the big three sports in particular. Football might be the most affected by the evolution of the game as demonstrated in recent years by the shuffling of big-name talent from season to season — particularly at the quarterback position.
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah recently took a look at how the transfer portal quarterback class grades out heading into the 2023 season, ordering each cohort into tiers tied to their expectations. Here is what Jeyarajah had to offer on Florida’s [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], who is listed in the fourth and final tier of players who are looking to take the next step.
Mertz was touted as the most exciting quarterback recruit in Wisconsin history but was never able to put things together in four years with the Badgers. Now, he gets a fresh start under [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] at Florida.
The Gators are looking for answers at quarterback after [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] opted to leave for the draft after just one season as a starter. Mertz will have to win the starting job over former transfer [autotag]Jack Miller[/autotag], but two of the top three receivers and top tight end are both back to ease the transition.
Billy Napier’s program is in desperate need of a reliable signal-caller under center and it is yet to be determined if Mertz is capable of living up to the lofty expectations the Gator Nation holds on its starting quarterback. While it is still possible to bolster the QB room through the portal, it seems very unlikely at this point.
Hopefully, Mertz can answer the call and lead the Gators back to glory in 2023.
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