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Florida Gators News: Andy Jean praises Graham Mertz, gymnastics falters

By Benjamin Henderson

Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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When Graham Mertz transferred to the Florida Gators, the response from fans, and quite frankly we here at Hail Florida Hail, was not one of excitement. While Mertz was highly touted coming out of high school, his time at Wisconsin was rather underwhelming.

As people have studied Wisconsin’s play calling, and Florida has rebuilt its offensive line, people’s opinion of Mertz has softened. And now that Mertz is gelling with his Gator teammates, they too feel he will be just fine this season.

During an interview with Dave Waters of the Gators Breakdown podcast, in collaboration with the Gators Collective, incoming freshman Andy Jean was asked about his new QB and had nothing but praise.

"Joe Burrow transferred in from another school. I feel like he’s another Joe Burrow because he actually loves the game and he’s more detailed mentally."

Of course, coming from high school a lot of things are going to seem more detail oriented and it’s not like Jean is going to trash one of his teammates publicly.

But to jump straight to a Joe Burrow comparison shows that there is belief in the Florida Gators locker room from the players that Mertz can be the guy as they go through their offseason preparations, even if Billy Napier hasn’t exactly given his full support.

Florida Gators gymnastics falls

It’s hard to fault the effort that gymnastics had last night during their defeat to LSU. Florida’s score of 197.975 is their second-highest score of the season and the second-highest score an away team has posted in a dual meet in the entire country this season.

The vault proved to be the difference as Trinity Thomas was the only Gator top 9.90 (9.925) and Florida was outscored in the event 49.475 to 49.350. LSU’s season-high of 198.100 gave them the victory by a final margin of 0.125.

Thomas did win the individual all-around competition with a 39.850, which included a perfect 10 on the balance beam.

Florida will take on Kentucky next week before a massive showdown against Oklahoma in two weeks.

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