Florida football’s opening kickoff is still just under six weeks away and the media is back at full strength thanks in large part to the boost the Southeastern Conference’s media days have given them. However, there have been storylines that carried over from the spring season that are still at the forefront of the discussion.
The Gators’ starting quarterback question remains unanswered and head coach Billy Napier was mostly mum on the subject during his Wednesday appearance. It is that enigma that sits among The Athletic’s Kennington Smith III’s six SEC quarterback battles to follow this summer, as former Wisconsin Badger Graham Mertz and also ex-Ohio State Buckeye Jack Miller III battle for QB1.
Like Saban, Florida coach Billy Napier was reluctant to put a timeline on naming a starting quarterback. Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz is by far the most experienced, with three years under his belt. Jack Miller is in his second year of Napier’s system and started in the Las Vegas Bowl last season. And there’s redshirt freshman Max Brown, who Napier said has had a “good summer.”
The trio didn’t inspire much confidence during Florida’s spring game as both teams combined for a little over 500 total yards, but Napier praised how they’ve responded during the summer months.
“(Graham) has an incredible motor and work ethic,” Napier said. “He is in the building. He is fanatical about his preparation. I think that has helped the competition.
“I think it has caused Jack to respond. Jack’s had an incredible offseason, and he’s in position for a great camp. And we’ve been really pleased with the young player, Max Brown.”
The Gators open their 2023 schedule on the road against the Utah Utes on Aug. 31, with a kickoff time of 8 p.m. EDT.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.