Billy Napier shares evaluation of transfer QB Graham Mertz

Florida coach Billy Napier vowed to find a quarterback in the transfer portal during the first window, and he did just that. He landed Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz, who’s already impressing the Gators after an up-and-down stint in Madison.

Mertz brings plenty of experience to Florida with 32 starts under his belt. His numbers weren’t eye-popping — 5,332 yards, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions over three years — but Napier kept turning to the experience Mertz brings to a program that’s losing Anthony Richardson to the 2023 NFL Draft.

So far, Napier said Mertz looks the part.

“I think that we evaluated a lot of quarterbacks in the portal,” Napier said. “We’re talking about a guy that started 32 games. He’s an experienced player. I do believe he’s got unique tools. When you go back all the way to his high school recruitment, he was one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Close to 6’3, a little under 6’3, he’s 215 pounds. Extremely intelligent. Had a great conversation with Paul Chryst, just all the people there that spoke on his behalf. I think we’re getting an experienced player that’s got arm talent, that can process and wanted to be at Florida.

“He has been fantastic. I think he has proven his work ethic, just observing him and hearing the other players talk about him. The work that he’s done with our staff, not only strength and conditioning, but also every part of the training room, nutrition, film study. He’s done a great job so far. Certainly a guy [who’s] a very experienced player.”

Billy Napier reveals plan of attack for Florida’s quarterback recruiting

The Gators have signed only one quarterback in the first two recruiting classes under Billy Napier, leaving question marks about Florida‘s quarterback recruiting going forward.

The 2023 class was supposed to fix that glaring hole with the commitment of Jaden Rashada. But after signing with Florida, Rashada pulled the plug and got out of his national letter of intent before eventually signing with Arizona State.

In two years, Max Brown is the only prospect Florida has signed out of high school.

“We definitely will be in the market in the spring,” Napier said. “If there presents an opportunity, there’s a player that passes evaluation, we certainly would be in the market for another player there.”