Pete Thamel of ESPN provided the latest on Florida quarterback Graham Mertz’s return to the field, after the Gators star missed the second game of the season last weekend with a concussion.
During an appearance on College Football Live on ESPN on Tuesday, Thamel explained that Mertz is currently “trending well” in his recovery, and he could be ready for this weekend’s game against Texas A&M. Now, whether he starts over freshman DJ Lagway is a whole different debate.
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“There’s one more step for Graham Mertz to clear concussion protocol, I’ve been told it’s trending well,” Thamel said. “Billy Napier has already spoken openly about [Mertz] splitting snaps with DJ Lagway, the 5-star freshman this weekend.
“Lagway obviously got the start against Samford, played well, it’s all the trappings of a quarterback controversy there in Gainesville.”
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Whether’s there’s a controversy in Gainesville remains to be seen, but On3’s J.D. PicKell believes it should be Mertz, even if he understands that most fans prefer Lagway.
“Honestly, I understand the thoughts that, hey, DJ Lagway gives Billy Napier the best chance to save his job and all those things. I’m like, ‘Y’all, if you can’t beat Texas A&M with a sixth-year starting quarterback, if a freshman quarterback gives you a better chance to win the football game,’ Like, that in itself to me is a little bit of a cause for concern in terms of what this roster has on it – neither here nor there,” said PicKell. “The thing with me with why, if it’s me, why I like Graham Mertz to start for Florida? He, to me, just gives you the chance to run your entire offense.”
“Like, if I’m Billy Napier, I want my sixth-year quarterback out there and running the show. I want him to be the guy in the moment that’s going to dictate if we win or lose the football game. That, to me, is the more secure way to go about it.
Alas, it remains to be seen if Graham Mertz will be healthy enough to suit up, but if he does, Billy Napier and the Gators have a fascinating decision to make against the Aggies.
