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Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball during fall football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
The Florida Gators will be leaning heavily on their incumbent starting quarterback [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] this season as they look to snap a three-season losing streak. It will not be easy for the Orange and Blue, but the former transfer just might be up to the task.
ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenberg recently put together an aggregation of opinions on starting quarterbacks gathered from college football head and assistant coaches and Mertz was one of many who earned an entry. While the former Badger has been somewhat of a mixed bag in Gainesville he does offer a stead hand calling the plays under center.
“Although Florida’s 2023 season did not go well for the team, Mertz revived his career under coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag],” Rittenberg begins. “The Wisconsin transfer had career highs in completions (261), passing yards (2,903), touchdown passes (20), completion percentage (72.9), passing average (263.9 YPG) and efficiency (157.8), while throwing a career-low three interceptions.”
Those stats put up in Gainesville were vast improvements upon his efforts back in Madison.
“Mertz, the highest-rated quarterback recruit in Wisconsin history, never completed more than 61.1% of his passes in a full season with the Badgers, but he did so in every start last fall for the Gators, eclipsing 79% in five consecutive games with no multi-interception performances.”
However, an SEC coach suggested that his numbers are “misleading” because the Gators often played from behind; nonetheless, his peers noted his improvements made under Napier.
“He’s a good processor, he knows where he wants to go…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-college-football-coaches-think-180059316.html
Author : Gators Wire
Publish date : 2024-08-26 18:00:59
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