Danny Wuerffel pens heartfelt message to Graham Mertz following season-ending injury

Graham Mertz will miss the rest of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL against Tennessee over the weekend.

Players, coaches and fans alike any have reached out to Mertz on social media following his injury diagnosis. From one Florida quarterback to another, Danny Wuerffel did the same, penning a message to social media on Monday toward Mertz after his injury against the Volunteers in Week 7.

“Graham, the Gator Nation can’t thank you enough for your leadership, service, performance, and attitude these past two years,” Wuerffel wrote. “You have earned the tremendous respect of many. We’ll be cheering you on always. God bless and Go Gators!”

That’s high praise from one of the best quarterback to ever put on the Florida uniform.

The non-contact injury appears to have effectively ended the collegiate career of Mertz, who had been in his sixth season of college football. Mertz joined the Gators ahead of the 2023 season after spending the first four years of his college career at Wisconsin. Starting in 32 games for the Badgers and 14 for the Gators with 9,099 passing yards and 64 touchdowns.

Mertz addressed his injury to his fans on social media as well, thanking Gator Nation for their continued support during his two years with the program.

During my recovery, I will remain a part of the program and do whatever I can in meeting rooms and from the sideline to help my teammates win,” Mertz wrote in his statement. “I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support during this time.”

Florida head coach Billy Napier confirmed that Mertz will need surgery for the torn ACL. He is scheduled to have have surgery on his knee next week and the coach praised his fallen quarterback for setting a an example for the rest of the team in terms of leadership and work ethic.

Florida will take on Kentucky at home on Saturday. DJ Lagway is expected to be the full-time starter moving forward.