GAINESVILLE, Fla. — His career arc includes many markers emblematic of a high-profile quarterback waiting to hear his name called in the NFL Draft.
- Graham Mertz was once a prized recruit chased by numerous major programs.
- Mertz signed with Wisconsin and became the first freshman to start a season opener for the Badgers in 42 years. He answered the call by throwing five touchdowns.
- He started every game for three straight seasons and, following a coaching change, sought a fresh start at Florida.
- Mertz won the starting job at UF, became a team captain, and instantly won over his teammates with his humble personality, work ethic and locker-room presence.
"Graham is one of my favorite players to coach in my 20 years of coaching,'' Gators head coach
Billy Napier said recently at UF's Pro Day. "The room lights up when the guy walks in."
The 24-year-old Mertz's collegiate career ended unexpectedly in more ways than one.
Mertz made such an impact with the Gators that he was named the 2024
GatorMade Danny Wuerffel Man of the Year, the program's most-distinguished honor. Florida fans understand that you must be special to earn an award attached to Wuerffel's name. The award honors the player who represents the program in a way that demonstrates the highest standards, whether in the huddle or at a NIL outing to play bingo with senior citizens.
Mertz was that guy at Wisconsin and for the past two seasons at UF, though not how he envisioned when the 2024 season started. Coming off the best season of his career – Mertz passed for a career-high 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns and led the Southeastern Conference in completion percentage (72.9%) in 2023 – Mertz returned for a final season of eligibility to try to lead the Gators to a winning season and improve his draft stock.
The plan got sacked in an October loss at Tennessee when Mertz suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee. He remained invested in the team by tutoring freshman quarterback
DJ Lagway and attacking rehab.
"That's why I came back. I wanted to win in any way, shape or form,'' Mertz said at Pro Day. "So, for me, when I got hurt, nothing changed. I still got to prep. I still got to help DJ, got to help the team, got to lead the team. You want to be out there, and you can say that's frustrating, but a job still had to get done."
When the season started eight months ago, the thought of Mertz hearing his name at this week's NFL Draft was viable. The tone has shifted as Mertz continues to work his way back from the knee injury. He performed without issues during Pro Day in front of more than 70 NFL personnel, but the controlled environment is much different from an NFL game.
Still, Mertz is confident he will find a place at the next level.
"I've played a lot of ball. I've had a lot of experiences in college,'' Mertz said. "I'm obviously coming off an ACL, so I know it will take however long a team doctor thinks before I can get out there and start playing. But my goal is to be ready to go for minicamp. My selling point is that I've been a team captain four times in college. That's kind of hard to say.
"I've had a lot of experiences and have learned from them all, and I know how to lead men. Point, blank, period, that's how I go. I've learned every step of the way through my journey."
Graham Mertz immersed himself into the local community and UF campus in his two years in Gainesville. (Photo: Catherine McCarthy/UAA Communications)
Former Gators quarterback Shane Matthews, a two-time SEC Player of the Year who went undrafted, spent 14 seasons in the NFL primarily as a backup. Matthews has watched Mertz closely over the past two seasons as an analyst for the Gators Radio Network.
There is no question in Matthews' eyes that Mertz can have a career in the NFL.
"He's got a real good football IQ. He understands offenses," Matthews said. "Whether he gets drafted or not, he'll get an opportunity to go to camp. I think he can be a backup or third guy in that league for several years because of his work ethic, the teammate he is, his understanding of offenses.
"I lasted 14 years, and it's not because of my ability. It's because I could learn a playbook in 15 to 20 minutes. I think Graham is a guy who can do the same."
With quarterbacks Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe drawing the most interest heading into the draft, Mertz is considered a potential seventh-round pick or priority free agent.
In conversations with league coaches and scouts, NFL Network analyst Tom Pelissaro ranks Mertz as the 14th-best quarterback available. Mertz's intangibles make him more attractive, according to Pelissero.
Whatever happens in the draft, Mertz departed Florida with a renewed outlook on his career and life.
He had success and dealt with adversity. He won, and he lost. More than anything, he learned what his most important role is. All those NIL community commitments and GatorMade outings led to the discovery.
"I learned that my true
why is serving people around me, and something clicked bigger than myself,'' Mertz said. "I learned that and lived it down here. It's the most fulfilling thing I've ever had in my life."
The way Mertz said it, you know he meant it.
