Billy Napier addresses Florida QB competition, Graham Mertz, Jack Miller from SEC Spring Meetings
Billy Napier has yet to make a decision on a starting quarterback between Graham Mertz and Jack Miller, but the Florida head coach is eager for what’s next.
Mertz transferred in from Wisconsin while Miller is in his second season with Florida after a quick stint at Ohio State. With nothing decided, Napier expects the summer to be great for the entire quarterback room.
Heck, he even shouted out redshirt freshman Max Brown.
“Yeah, I feel great about the body of work of that group,” Napier said. “Really excited about Graham and his experience and the things that he brings to our team. Certainly causes the rest of the room to elevate their play. I thought Jack had a really good spring. Max is a really good young player. So we actually started work today with the team. Those guys have an important summer in front of them. They’re looking forward to it.”
It’s been an up and down career for Mertz, but a fresh start away from Wisconsin could be good for the quarterback. In his career, Mertz has 5,405 yards, 38 touchdowns, 26 interceptions and a 59.5% completion percentage.
Now Mertz might grow in the Florida system later in his career.
“Yeah, I mean, first off, I just gotta say, I’m blessed to be here,” Mertz said. “Like I said earlier in spring, I mean, I wake up every day just grateful to see the sun every day, which is stupid. But when you’re in Wisconsin for a while, you realize what the sun is. So I mean, I really enjoyed the spring. I think that personally, I grew as a player. And as a young man. It’s been a great spring. I mean, put in a lot of work here. It’s only just a start for it. So I mean, we’re gonna have a lot of work to do, but I’m excited for it.”
Graham Mertz evaluates where to get better
Mertz said the little things could pay off big time for Florida.
“I think the details,” Mertz said of the biggest need for growth for Florida. “I mean, I think that at this time of the year, I’ve been through a few spring balls now, at this point it’s all about the details. You got a group of what, 20 to 25 guys that are new on this team? New playbook. Whether they’re transfers or they’re incoming freshmen.
“So I mean, a lot of guys’ heads are out there spinning but from this point on, it’s all about the details and really owning (it). (Some of these guys feel) like (they were) thrown into the fire … But now it’s about really locking in on the little things that win games, especially in the SEC.”