Amidst all the early signing period chaos, Florida landed a transfer portal quarterback on Wednesday, former Wisconsin Badger [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], according to G. Allan Taylor of The Athletic.
Mertz spent three years as a starter for Wisconsin but failed to live up to some lofty expectations. He needed a fresh start and Florida provided the right amount of opportunity while raising his profile as an NFL draft piece. Mertz will immediately enter a quarterback battle with Ohio State transfer [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] who started just one game for the Gators during his first year in Gainesville.
Behind Miller is true freshman [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag]. Billy Napier simply needed more options at quarterback for the upcoming season and Mertz fits the bill. Well, not exactly. Mertz is far from the dual-threat Anthony Richardson was, and Napier has proven through his recruiting that he prefers a mobile quarterback. Miller has some legs, but Mertz has a negative rushing total over three years as a starter.
Mertz is a good stopgap for Billy Napier and Co., and he could easily declare for the draft after a year to make way for Rashada and [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag]. He certainly has the experience to win the starting job, even if his 38-to-26 touchdown-to-interception ratio in Wisconsin leaves something to be desired.
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