‘It Doesn’t Feel Like a Job’: Graham Mertz Values Fresh Start As Gators’ QB1
Photo: Graham Mertz; Credit: Zach Goodall
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Billy Napier likened Wisconsin quarterback transfer Graham Mertz's transition to Florida to "a new lease on life" at SEC Media Days in July.
The NCAA transfer portal, as it has similarly done for other players a few times over the years, offered Mertz a fresh start with a new program. Mertz on Tuesday explained the benefits that came with a change of scenery, following four seasons with the Badgers.
"It doesn’t feel like a job. It doesn’t feel like work. You genuinely love it," Mertz said about his career under Napier's tutelage to date. "I think I can comfortably say with every ounce of my being that I love it."
Having named Mertz as the Gators' starting quarterback for the 2023 season, Napier is banking on the redshirt junior's comfort in the system to result in improved play.
After producing a 1.4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio across 32 starts at his previous school, Napier is placing his faith in his hands-on approach to quarterback coaching, the Gators' offensive scheme and Florida's player development regimen to unlock the potential Mertz once displayed as a blue-chip recruit.
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And while Mertz describes his role as if it has lacked stress, it hasn't been without a bevy of demands or rigorous effort on his part to enhance his game since his January enrollment. He has accepted the challenges that come with it.
"[I] came in in the winter and just kind of got the kitchen sink thrown at me," Mertz recalled. "I really wanted to learn fast, but in this game, the only way to truly learn is to take reps. Coach Napier always harps on it, this is a rep-based organization. I took that to the heart, and I was like you know what, I’m going to try to find as many reps as I can, whether that’s watching film in here, in the [quarterback] room, practice."
Mertz transferred what he learned in the winter into a split of first-team duties with fourth-year redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III during spring training camp.
The results were, at the time, unencouraging. Paired with four passes from redshirt freshman Max Brown, the duo combined to lead the Gators' offenses to just 17 points in total in the Orange and Blue Spring Game.
But Mertz began to take command of the offense during summer workouts, and that much was observed in fall camp. Although Napier made it official on Friday, Mertz has noticeably been Florida's No. 1 signal-caller in the practice setting throughout fall camp, observed in the role by media and fans alike.
Mertz believes he, and the offense as a whole, have made significant progress in recent months as he has gained experience within it. Specifically, Mertz feels as though his decision-making has sharpened and that, while he aspires to take what the defense gives him, he is becoming more aggressive as a passer.
"I think for me this summer was a big stride, just being able to kind of run these player-led OTAs with the guys, take that ownership of knowing what every single guy on the field is doing it that time," Mertz described. "I'd say this summer was a big stride for not only myself but the entire offense.
“I love this offense, man. All the ins and outs of this, all the checks, you really need to know what you’re doing and what you’re seeing. It frees you up to just go play the game."
Mertz was the highest-ranked quarterback to ever sign with Wisconsin and took over as the Badgers' starter in Week 1 of his redshirt freshman season. With that weight on his shoulders, he went on to complete 59.1% of his passes with 5,332 yards, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in 32 games.
Taking over as Florida's starting quarterback comes with its own share of high expectations, but with the fresh start he's been rewarded, Mertz feels better equipped to handle the responsibilities of QB1 the second time they've been handed to him.
"When I came on my visit, one of the first things I did was go look at the Heisman statues," Mertz remembered, referencing the sculptures of former Florida quarterbacks Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
It's "an honor and a blessing" to follow in their footsteps, Mertz told Napier upon learning he will start at quarterback for Florida in 2023.
"I came from one program that had a lot of history. Stepping into a new one you gain that appreciation; you see the history everywhere you go," Mertz said. "Whether it’s the indoor [facility], all these banners in here. You gotta honor that every day.
"You gotta know we’re working for this team, the guys in the locker room. But there’s a lot of weight that previous Gators have gone through to make this place what it is.”
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