Florida football: Billy Napier talks Graham Mertz, Jaden Rashada situation

The Gators had a quiet National Signing Day, with their only action of the day being the signing of 4-star OT commit Caden Jones.

But Billy Napier was still on the podium today talking about Gator football.

Normally on signing days, these press conferences are filled with talks about the talent that committed to your school today, and what they can bring to the program.

Instead, Napier talked about quarterbacks. He spoke both about Graham Mertz and his potential, as well as the Jaden Rashada situation that finally came to an end today (we think).

Florida football: High confidence in Graham Mertz

It’s no secret that fans were disappointed to find out that Graham Mertz was the guy that Napier was getting out of the portal. With names like Grayson McCall and Sam Hartman transferring, as well as the idea of Rashada coming in, it felt like they settled.

But Napier doesn’t see it that way and is excited about what Mertz can do.

Talking about Mertz, Billy said “I think we are getting an experienced player with arm talent, who can quickly process, and who wanted to be at Florida. He has proven his work ethic.”

That line “and who wanted to be at Florida” sounds about right. Napier has emphasized landing guys both on the trail and in the portal who really want to be Gators. 2024 5-star commit DJ Lagway is a great example of that.

Napier also said, “We evaluated a lot of quarterbacks in the portal, we’re talking about a guy who started 32 games. He’s experienced and I do believe he has unique tools. You go back to his high school tape, he was one of the best recruits in the nation.”

Napier is right about his high school profile. As a recruit, Mertz was a 4-star QB and ranked as the 3rd best pro-style QB in the class of 2019, and the top player in Kansas.

While he hasn’t lit it up yet in college, it’s clear that Florida is excited about what he can do.

Florida football: Jaden Rashada situation still foggy

When asked about Rashada, Napier said it was “not permissible for him to get into specifics” but that he did wish he could tell us all what happened.

It is interesting to think about this whole thing after today. Napier said that the Gators have had no issues with any other recruits in wake of what happened with Jaden.

It seems that this wasn’t entirely an issue between Rashada and the university. He may have had some people in his camp in his ear, and the fallout from him leaving Miami also added to the steep bill UF would have had to pay for him.

Seeing Rashada end up at Arizona State tells us something too. He was an elite prospect.

Why didn’t he end up at an elite football school? One that could have paid him what Florida didn’t?

It seems that there were a few red flags from Rashada and his camp that a lot of schools didn’t want to entertain.

Keep up with Florida football at Hail Florida Hail.