GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Graham Mertz jogged into the Swamp with the first-team offense Thursday night time, carrying the No. 15 jersey made well-known by Tim Tebow and harboring no regrets about leaving Wisconsin for Florida.
“Simply grateful to see the solar every single day, which is one thing silly, however if you end up in Wisconsin for some time, you type of understand what the solar does,” Mertz stated. “Actually loved the spring.”
It isn’t clear whether or not he may truthfully say the identical in regards to the spring sport, a 10-7 effort that included numerous unhealthy snaps and even drew a veiled shot from Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin on Twitter.
Mertz accomplished 18 of 29 passes for 244 yards and a landing whereas enjoying the primary half for the Orange and the second half for the Blue. He was “sacked” 5 occasions within the managed scrimmage in entrance of an estimated 42,000 followers, and his lack of arm power was evident with each deep ball.
Mertz is a short-term answer for a rebuilding Gators program that primarily misplaced six scholarship quarterbacks — and one potential NFL star — within the 12 months.
Blue-chip prospect and projected starter Jaden Rashada by no means made it to Gainesville after a reputation, picture and likeness deal price practically $14 million fell by way of. That debacle adopted standout Anthony Richardson, a projected top-10 decide, declaring for the NFL draft and backup Jalen Kitna being arrested on youngster pornography prices and being dismissed from this system.
Emory Jones (Arizona State) and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Syracuse) transferred final spring, and Florida withdrew a scholarship provide to four-start dedication Marcus Stokes (West Florida) in November after video emerged of him singing lyrics that contained a racial slur.
So Mertz, a fourth-year junior who landed at Florida in December after beginning three seasons for the Badgers, is penciled in to switch Richardson and probably assist the Gators claw their method out of a rut that features consecutive dropping seasons for the primary time since 1978-79.
He confirmed some flashes within the spring sport, connecting on a 28-yard completion to Caleb Douglas that ended with a fumble and beating an all-out blitz and hitting Kahleil Jackson in stride for a 10-yard rating.
“I believe that personally I grew as a participant and as a younger man,” stated Mertz, who threw for five,405 yards, with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions at Wisconsin. “It’s been an amazing spring. I’ve put in a whole lot of work right here, and it’s simply the beginning. We’ve got a whole lot of work to do, however I’m excited for it.”
The Gators are relying on Mertz’s accuracy, expertise and decision-making capability to offset what he lacks in athleticism and arm expertise.
Each Mertz and backup QB Jack Miller stated coach Billy Napier’s plan for the nationally televised spring sport was to be as vanilla as attainable to stop exhibiting an excessive amount of 4 1/2 months earlier than opening the season at Utah.
“Most likely Day 1 set up,” Miller stated when requested how a lot of the playbook was used.
Added Napier: “Offensively, small menu for each side, and positively the identical on protection. You recognize, we’re what we’re, proper? It’s going to be extra in regards to the execution of the decision than the decision. I believe tonight was a very good indication of that.”
The Gators stay a piece in progress, with Napier making an attempt to construct a sustainable program in an ever-changing panorama. They moved into a brand new soccer facility lower than a yr and have revamped their NIL efforts.
Enhancing the on-field product tops Napier’s to-do listing, however how quickly will it occur? Extremely touted QB dedication DJ Lagway, a 6-foot-2 Texan, is predicted to enroll in January 2024 and be a plug-and-play starter. Lagway was in attendance Thursday night time, together with Richardson.
“Total, it may have been higher on offense, and the quarterback play — I say this to you on a regular basis — typically they get an excessive amount of credit score, typically it is an excessive amount of blame,” Napier stated. “In the end for a quarterback to play effectively, the gamers round them have gotten to play effectively.”
