Graham Mertz enters the 2024 season with 43 career starts in his college career. (Photo: Nicole Scharff/UAA Communications)
Gators Position Preview: Quarterback
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Graham Mertz, face flushed from another scorching practice in the August heat, stepped to the podium Tuesday night for his first press conference since preseason camp started.
Florida is more than halfway through camp and moving full speed toward the season opener Aug. 31 against Miami at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mertz introduced himself to Florida fans a year ago with a 31-for-44, 333-yard performance in a season-opening loss at Utah. After four seasons and a coaching change at Wisconsin, Mertz transferred to UF to reboot his career.
The move paid off as Mertz established himself as a capable leader and efficient field general in head coach Billy Napier's balanced offensive scheme. Mertz enters his final season of eligibility with one goal in mind following a 5-7 season.
"I didn't just come back here to boost my draft stock,'' Mertz said Tuesday. "I came back to win. That's why I'm here right now. That's why I'm standing up here. That's why I was just on the practice field for two hours in some serious heat — because I want to win."
As camp begins to count down, it's time for our "Gators Position Preview" series. There's no better place to start than the most critical position.
Mertz faced a difficult task a season ago, at least on paper. He took over for 2022 starter Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Mertz's drop-back ability and efficient mid-range arm contrasted significantly with the dynamic Richardson's rifle and dual-threat athleticism. In the end, the Gators were about the same and would have been improved in the win-loss column if not for late-game woes that cost them wins against Arkansas and Missouri. Mertz passed the test in his first season at UF, setting career highs in completions (261), passing yards (2,903), touchdown passes (20), completion percentage (72.9), passing yards per game (263.9) and efficiency (157.8). Mertz threw only three interceptions and set a program record by throwing 239 consecutive passes without an interception. The goal in 2024 is to hit more explosive plays downfield, an objective Mertz and Napier have discussed during camp. Mertz started 11 games a season ago and enters his final year with 43 career starts, which puts him among the most experienced quarterbacks in the country. He is fully recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered during the loss at Missouri, which forced the Gators to start redshirt freshman Max Brown against Florida State. Brown transferred to Charlotte following the season. With Mertz as the veteran starter, the Gators have a soft landing for backup DJ Lagway, the coveted five-star signee from Willis, Texas. Lagway is a talented athlete who is best when outside the pocket, looking to make plays with his legs. He has been a quick study in his seven months on campus, and having Mertz around as a teacher/mentor has been a plus as the two have developed a close working relationship. While Lagway has plenty to learn, Napier has implied there is a plan in place to get Lagway snaps to keep the defense guessing and expand the offense's capabilities. Lagway isn't the only new face at quarterback meetings. He is joined by transfer Clay Millen, who started 10 games for Colorado State in 2022 and the season opener a year ago. Millen grew up around the game and is the son of former University of Washington and NFL quarterback Hugh Millen, who played for the Rams, Falcons, Patriots and Broncos. Meanwhile, walk-ons Aidan Warner (transfer from Yale) and true freshmen Paul Kessler (Venice, Calif.) and Lawrence Wright IV (son of former UF standout defensive back Lawrence Wright) round out the room.
Freshman DJ Lagway looks to make a play in the Orange & Blue Game. (File photo: Molly Kaiser/UAA Communications)
If season started today: Mertz would be the clear-cut starter and seeks to finish his career by leading the Gators to their first winning season since 2020. Florida's formidable schedule is challenging, but having a veteran like Mertz should help. Napier has kept plans for Lagway close to the vest, but don't be surprised if he makes a change-of-pace appearance in the opener. Millen is an experienced reserve who won't be overwhelmed should he have to step in due to injury in a situation like Brown faced a season ago.
Speculation: How much is Lagway going to play? What does Lagway look like in practice? Is Lagway's arm as strong as I've heard? Those are typical questions anyone who covers the Gators regularly hears from fans excited about Florida's most-prized recruit since another quarterback: Tim Tebow. Lagway has obvious talent but still looks like a freshman some days. He is a work in progress but a massive piece of the puzzle Napier envisions in the future.
Quote of Note: "At this point last year, I was still trying to figure out small details and small checks, alerts, stuff like that. With all these new things, you think about the coach to player, all the different aspects of that. Now you're going to work on those extra details and stuff that's going to come up in games instead of focusing on 'what's my job on this play.' It's already second nature at that point. Now, it's spreading it to everyone else." — Gators QB Graham Mertz on the difference in his second preseason camp
