Billy Napier: Graham Mertz has made our team better

Graham Mertz certainly made Florida better through the first third of the season, according to head coach Billy Napier.

At 3-1, Florida is within the top 25, has a big win over Tennessee and might be finding its groove. That’s in large part due to Mertz operating the offense.

Napier was very complimentary of his quarterback ahead of this weekend’s game against Kentucky.

“We’re pleased with Graham,” Napier said. “Graham has made our team better. His work habits, his attitude, his practice approach, the way he prepares, his leadership, I think this guy’s, he’s done a really good job for our team. (Graham’s) playing at a high level, we need to keep him cleaner. And he got hit a few too many times on Saturday but the ball is going where it’s supposed to go. 

“And again, it’s been really accurate. I think Saturday and look, I think if you charted the incompletions, some of those are, you know, bad design and some of those are drops. I mean, so I think, or maybe he’s thrown it away because of the rush. So he’s playing really efficient for us right now.”

So far, through four games, Mertz is 84-of-108 passing (77.8%) for 951 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He also has two rushing touchdowns this season.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Mertz was a four-star recruit out of Mission (Kan.) Blue Valley North, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 4 quarterback in the class and the No. 57 overall prospect in the class.

Napier wasn’t the only one to prop up Mertz. Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops knows he has a good quarterback to face Saturday.

“Graham’s been very, well first of all, he’s been very good with the football,” Stoops said. “I think they, they have every few turnovers in general. I want to say he only has one. He’s been very efficient. Very smart. Getting rid of the football, and taking care of the ball. Running their offense. He’s been very efficient. He’s playing very well.”

Despite being complimentary of Mertz, Stoops and the Wildcats want to do everything possible to stop him and remain undefeated.

No. 22 Florida heads to Kentucky for an SEC showdown Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET.