Ranking the prospective starting quarterbacks in the SEC
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the second half during the Florida Gators Orange and Blue Spring Game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, April 13, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Orange Blue Spring Game](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F5657e7cdf0f9ddbd1c02775723afba53e43b59d7ca72f2ac728ef7af4ccb5772.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the second half during the Florida Gators Orange and Blue Spring Game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, April 13, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Orange Blue Spring Game")
player. 840. . . . Graham Mertz. 11
SEC football: Low expectations, low disappointment
The Gators seemed to have the opportunity to make a splash in the transfer portal with the QB they would land. But Mertz wasn’t the guy many fans were hoping for.
Now this isn’t to say that Graham won’t do well in Napier’s system, but he himself is not going to be putting up numbers and slinging it around the field.
With Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson in the backfield, the Gators figure to be run-heavy again this season, taking the ball out of Mertz’s hands.
In his last season with Wisconsin, Mertz threw for 2,136 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Those numbers aren’t bad, but nobody is really expecting Mertz to come in and bring UF elite QB play. All he needs to do is play the system, limit mistakes, and run a clean offense.
He can still be a great player, just not necessarily an electric QB.