Although the 2023 college football season was a disappointment for most of Gator Nation, Florida quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] provided at least one silver lining with a great first year in Gainesville.
ESPN ranked Mertz the fourth-best transfer quarterback in the country on Wednesday. Senior writer Adam Rittenberg went back and graded out the top 50 transfer quarterbacks in the country this season. He gave Mertz and the Gators an A-minus.
“Florida coach Billy Napier can’t point to a ton of success stories in his two seasons, but Mertz should be at the top of his list,” Rittenberg wrote. “Mertz arrived at Florida as a career 59.5% passer, unable to take the next step in his development despite ample opportunities with Wisconsin. Florida stumbled to a 5-7 season, but Mertz settled in seamlessly with Napier’s offense, completing 72.9% of his passes (No. 4 nationally) with no game at below 61.9%.
“Although the Gators faded with five straight losses to end the season, Mertz maintained his progress, recording multiple touchdown passes in six of his final seven games before missing the finale against Florida State with an injury.”
Rittenberg also reminded readers that this year’s Heisman Trophy ceremony featured a trio of transfer quarterbacks in Year 2 at their new home. With Mertz returning to Florida next season, expectations are going to be set high after a career year in completions, efficiency, passing yards and touchdowns.
It’s worth noting that Mertz had a B-plus halfway through the year. He only improved against the stronger half of the schedule, so there’s reason to believe that development continues against what might be the toughest schedule in the country next season.
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