One of the biggest questions facing the Florida Gators heading into the offseason centered around QB Graham Mertz and his decision to either declare for the 2024 NFL Draft or return to the Gators for another season.
Mertz back for final season
On Thursday, Mertz announced through a post on his X social media account that he would be returning to the Florida Gators for his final season of college football, using #UnfinishedBusiness to go along with his announcement, insinuating that his season being cut somewhat short due to injury helped fuel his decision.
Mertz exceeded all preseason expectations for the Gators after transferring in from the Wisconsin Badgers.
Mertz finished the season completing 261 for 358 passes for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions. He finished the season with a 72.9% completion percentage, which ranks third in the FBS amongst quarterbacks.(Sports Reference) His three interceptions thrown was the fewest amongst quarterbacks in the SEC.
Mertz ran Florida head coach Billy Napier’s offense efficiently most of the season, but took a beating whilst doing so, getting sacked 31 times on the season, which was 4th most amongst SEC quarterbacks. That said, no matter how many times Mertz got hit, he kept getting up.
Gators QB Graham Mertz (15)- David Bowie/ Gator Country
It took until the Missouri game, on a play where he scrambled, and ran through five Tigers defenders for a first down, for him to go down and not get back up, grasping at his left shoulder.
Mertz’s shoulder injury should be fully recovered by the time Florida begins their offseason training for the 2024-2025 season and will once again provide a veteran presence to the locker room and be a team leader, like he was during this season that just ended.
His decision comes at a good time for the Gators, as backup QB Max Brown, who filled in for Mertz against Missouri and made his first career start against Florida State, intends to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens on Monday, December 1st, per multiple reports.
As of the writing of this, between Mertz’ and Brown’s decisions, that now leaves the Gators QB room with Mertz and Jack Miller III as the only two quarterbacks with playing experience for the Gators. Miller III is a potential transfer portal entrant candidate for the Gators, but as of right now, he has not announced any intentions of doing so. Come Monday, though, when the transfer portal officially opens, that may change.
Miller III’s lone start for the Gators came in the 30-3 loss in the Las Vegas Bowl a season ago against Oregon State. Miller III played in place of now Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and opted out of playing in the bowl game. Miller III finished the game 13 of 22 for 180 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Florida also has a consensus five-star QB recruit named DJ Lagway from Willis, Texas, committed and he is likely going to sign with the Gators on early national signing Day on December 20th.
If Lagway does indeed sign with the Gators as he is expected to, Mertz returning provides an opportunity for him to learn from what will be one of,if not the most experienced quarterbacks in college football next season.
Florida will still look into the transfer portal for another quarterback to add more depth to the room, given Mertz will be recovering from injury and the fact that they need simply need experience in the room.
Mertz returning to Florida for his final season of college football, especially given the schedule for the 2024-2025 season, is a major boost for the Gators offense and the team as a whole.
