Billy Napier explains how Max Brown will prepare for Florida State as Florida's starting QB

Florida Gators starting quarterback Graham Mertz was knocked out of the team’s game against Missouri, forcing backup Max Brown into action. Now, head coach Billy Napier shared how Brown is going to prepare for Florida State as the Gators’ starting quarterback.

Napier praised Brown for how he played against the Tigers while also acknowledging there is a lot of room for him to grow.

“Well, he just played against the number nine team in the country on the road,” Billy Napier said. “So, he’ll be a lot more prepared rather than not doing it.”

Max Brown has appeared in three games this season, completing 10 of 12 attempts for 106 yards. He’s neither thrown a touchdown nor an interception. Against Missouri, he flashed his running ability, going for 42 yards on seven carries.

“Look, Max is a worker. He’ll start when he gets back Sunday. We’ve got a routine for the quarterback, it’s worked in the past. We’ll play to his strengths and, you know, there will be some confidence he can get from tonight after moving the team a little bit and making a handful of plays, and there’ll be things that he learned from tonight that he can do better,” Napier said.

“And I can tell you this, I think the players will rally around the situation. You know, I thought you saw a little bit of that tonight if that makes sense. So, you know, Max has the respect of the team because he works his butt off and he’s consistent. He’s got character. So, what a tremendous opportunity for a young player.”

When Max Brown gets his start against Florida State, the Gators are going to be playing to become bowl-eligible this season. That game will be played in Gainesville, at least. So, Brown will have the home fans behind him.

Billy Napier provides injury update on Graham Mertz’s collarbone

Following Florida’s heartbreaking loss to Missouri, Billy Napier confirmed that Graham Mertz suffered a non-displaced fracture of the collarbone. That will, most likely, end his season after 11 games.

After Mertz was injured, ESPN sideline reporter Katie George shared everything that had happened with him.

“But that left arm is currently in a sling,” George said. “They x-rayed him. As you guys saw, he was pointing to his collarbone when he was on the field. He has been, unfortunately, ruled out for the rest of the game as you guys can imagine.”