Billy Napier impressed with Graham Mertz's learning of Florida system

Graham Mertz will be Florida‘s starting quarterback to begin the 2023 season and head coach Billy Napier couldn’t be more confident in his decision.

From his arrival until now, Mertz has proved to Napier his worth. As week two of fall camp concluded, the Gators head coach had seen enough and made a well-thought-out decision on who his starter would be.

“I think the big thing I’ve been impressed with is just his ability to come in and learn the system, translate what he knows and apply that to our system,” Napier said after naming him the starter. “And then just, you know, relentless in approach. Probably’s worked as hard as any player on our team.

“Probably as hard as a lot of players that I’ve been around in terms of the unseen hours. Those are what I’m talking about specifically, and the self-discipline, to have a system, a process, a routine, to work, to connect with players, ask very intelligent questions, and is anticipating problems.”

Mertz also has the experience advantage between the two, having thrown for 5,405 yards and 38 touchdown passes in his career with the Badgers. His 32 starts and over 2,000 snaps of college football are attractive to Napier, but that isn’t why he recruited him.

Napier called him an accomplished player — but is much more impressed with Mertz’s leadership skills

“Graham’s done a great job and he’s worked from the minute he pulled up in the parking lot until, you know, just a while ago, he’s continued to work to improve, so been very pleased in that regard,” Napier said. “The level of professionalism here that I think is respected.”

Ultimately, Mertz beat out former Ohio State transfer Jack Miller for the position. Miller made it tough for Napier to name Mertz the outright starter, as he has had a strong offseason and had put himself in a position to have a strong camp. Having been a four-star high school prospect out of Scottsdale (AZ), he was ranked the No. 26 quarterback in the nation for the 2020 class according to On3’s Industry Ranking.

Still, Napier felt more comfortable with Mertz as his guy and will earn his first start on a major stage against Utah on the road. The Utes are currently 7.5-point favorites over Mertz and the Gators, and nothing would be sweeter for Florida to fly back to Gainesville 1-0 on the season with their new QB.