The Florida Gators had a big decision to make at the quarterback position with star quarterback Anthony Richardson departing for the NFL. And head coach Billy Napier made that decision on who will be their starter on Friday.
Florida brought in a number of transfers at the position to battle for the starting job. But the starting job came down to Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and returning quarterback Jack Miller III, who had previously transferred to Florida from Ohio State in 2022.
Napier made his decision on Friday, and Graham Mertz will reportedly be the Week 1 starter for Florida against the Utah Utes.
BREAKING: Billy Napier has named Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz as Florida’s starting QB, per @delatorre🐊https://t.co/5V4hEQ1Uqz pic.twitter.com/ZMYoA1iD1j
— On3 (@On3sports) August 11, 2023
It isn’t all that surprising of a decision considering Mertz has far and away the most starting experience of anyone on the Florida roster.
Mertz has started each of the last two seasons at Wisconsin, most recently throwing for 2,136 yards to go along with 19 touchdowns and ten interceptions last year.
These numbers aren’t all that spectacular, and there are certainly some out there that believe that Florida could struggle with Graham Mertz at the helm.
Florida coach Billy Napier announces the Gators are gonna have a rough season https://t.co/rFYLtBYh7K
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) August 11, 2023
🚨BREAKING🚨
Florida is out of CFP contention https://t.co/pxSGS7V1qN
— Wyatt Fulton (@FultonW_) August 11, 2023
On the bright side: Florida might not have to worry about another embarrassing bowl loss this season. #G8RH8R https://t.co/yqk9ffV9H7
— Brandon Adams (@DawgNationDaily) August 11, 2023
Hooo booooyyyy https://t.co/RayoDdRqfG
— Mark Drumheller (@x_drumheller) August 11, 2023
this…should be interesting https://t.co/I9Q9xjh04Y
— The New Big (@tinclock) August 11, 2023
On paper, it looks like a huge downgrade from a player like Richardson, who was selected No. 4 in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
However, Richardson’s stats actually weren’t all that spectacular, and his early NFL draft selection was largely based more on his athletic upside rather than his collegiate performance.
Mertz also is coming from a far less dynamic offense at Wisconsin last season. While Mertz deserves some blame for that, we could potentially see him succeed in a different scheme with SEC-level talent around him at Florida.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.