Florida Gators offensive coordinator raves about Graham Mertz
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Graham Mertz hasn’t been on campus long but he’s making an early impression on the Florida Gators coaching staff and his teammates. Florida’s interest was evident. Billy Napier claims to have researched and studied 24 transfer portal quarterbacks in the few weeks between the transfer portal opening and Mertz committing to Florida.
He liked what he had heard of the former Wisconcon starter. That thought was backed up early on based on reports back during the foundation and identity phases which are run by Mark Hocke and the strength and conditioning staff.
“I think he has proven his work ethic, just observing him and hearing the other players talk about him,” Napier said. “The work that he’s done with our staff, not only strength and conditioning, but also every part of the training room, nutrition, film study. He’s done a great job so far. Certainly a guy [who’s] a very experienced player.”
Florida runs its practices in a way that gets everyone reps. Even last year when Anthony Richardson was clearly the starter, Jack Miller, Jalen Kitna, and Max Brown got plenty of reps in practice. Through two practices this spring, there’s a clear pecking order with Mertz and Miller taking the reps with the ones and twos. They’ll rotate so that they’re each working with both units but through two practices it appears that Mertz may have an early edge in the quarterback battle.
Fitting in with the guys
Mertz didn’t transfer to the University of Florida to sit out. He wasn’t promised anything so he’s determined to earn it. It’s a whole new offense. A brand new locker room with teammates that didn’t know him from Adam. Mertz was ready to put in the work to show everyone in the building who he is and what he’s about.
“Graham Mertz puts a lot of work in, he’s in this building every single day, like 24 hours, I never see him leave,” left tackle Austin Barber said. “When I leave, his car is still here. When I get here, his car is here. I’m happy he’s putting the work in.”
That isn’t limited to the confines of the Heavener Football Training Center. Barber and long snapper Rocco Underwood took Mertz out to Mark Bostick golf course.
“He’s kind of like a normal guy, he kind of takes himself out of football, he’s so consumed in it, that’s what I love about him. He’s like one of the guys, one of the boys, you can just do anything with,” Barber said. “Recently me and him and Rocco Underwood went golfing, just hung out, he took his mind off football and he just acted like a normal guy.”
According to Barber, Mertz is a better quarterback than golfer. That’s good for Gators fans.
Rob Sale raves about Mertz
Your teammates can like you, but your coaches need to trust you if you want to get on the field. Mertz’s attention to detail and tireless work ethic in the weight room, film room, and practice field is what stands out to the staff.
“That kid is smart. I don’t know about catch up would be the word anymore with how smart he is. Very, very impressed,” Rob Sale said of Mertz. “He’s going to make the guys in that room around him about how he approaches his work and how he comes in here, how he uses this video board. So, he’ll make the guys around him in that room better just by the way he prepares.”
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)
