In 2023, the Florida Gators will have to replace the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft of the Indianapolis Colts, QB Anthony Richardson.
To put it plainly, Richardson’s production both through the air and on the ground from a season ago, can’t be replicated, but that doesn’t mean he’s not replaceable.
Analyzing the 2023 Florida Gators QB Situation
With that said, the Gators have three QBs competing in Fall camp to start in 2023: Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz, former Ohio State transfer Jack Miller, and redshirt freshman Max Brown.
Graham Mertz: The Veteran
Florida QB Graham Mertz (15) – Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel
After the 2022 season ended on a low note in a 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State, the Gators knew that they would need to replace future top-five pick Anthony Richardson, who declared for the NFL Draft and opted out of the game.
The Gators recruited many potential candidates who had placed their names in the transfer portal, but Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz was who the coaching staff settled on as their possible replacement for Anthony Richardson.
Mertz has 32 collegiate starts under his belt, making him one of the more experienced options Florida could have gotten in the transfer portal.
Mertz finished his career at Wisconsin with 5,405 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions, according to Sports Reference.
Mertz doesn’t have the mobility that Richardson had. Frankly, nobody does. What Mertz does have that Richardson often struggled with last season is the ability to make the short-to-medium throws consistently.
If Mertz comes in, shows that he has learned the offense, makes the easy throws he needs to, and becomes a leader on and off the field, the starting job will be Mertz’s to lose.
Jack Miller III: Destined Backup or Potential Starter?
Florida QB Jack Miller III (10) – Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel
Florida QB Jack Miller III transferred in from Ohio State last offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job. Miller ultimately lost the starting job to Richardson and served as his backup.
Miller III dealt with a thumb injury for a portion of last season but finally got his chance to start at the very end of the season.
With Anthony Richardson opting out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft, Miller III made his first-ever collegiate start in the aforementioned Las Vegas Bowl.
Miller III, unfortunately, had to play behind a makeshift offensive line that lost All-American guard O’Cyrus Torrence due to him also opting out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Miller III finished the game with 180 yards passing and zero touchdowns, according to Sports Reference, in what was a very poor performance by the team overall.
That being said, Miller III opted to return to Gainesville in 2023 to play for the starting job and will have to compete, as he did against Richardson in 2022, against Graham Mertz and true freshman Max Brown.
Miller III has already faced some adversity in his time in Gainesville, and this will be yet another hurdle for him to jump over. If Miller III wants to start, he’s going to have to go and earn it.
Max Brown: Unexperienced and Talented
Florida QB Max Brown (17) – Jordan McKendrick/Florida Athletics
True freshman QB Max Brown is the wildcard in this QB competition. Brown has not appeared in a college game yet but has been receiving high praise from the coaching staff.
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier said of Brown at 2023 SEC Media Days, “We’ve been really pleased with a young player Max Brown. He’s had a good Summer. He’s impressed the staff. He’s impressed his teammates.”
Brown has a big arm, due to his baseball background, which he also plays at Florida, but simply lacks what Mertz and Miller have (more so Mertz) and that’s collegiate playing experience.
Brown was the only QB Florida signed out of high school in the 2022 recruiting cycle after some NIL drama went down with their other potential signee, now Arizona State QB Jaden Rashada.
Brown goes into Fall camp as the third QB on the depth chart, but don’t be surprised if he pushes for the backup role and potentially more if unforeseen circumstances were to arise.
