Graham Mertz explains decision to return to Florida: 'I care about this place and I want to win here'

The college football regular season might be over, but there is still plenty to discuss around sport. With all the movement of players courtesy of the NCAA Transfer Portal, it has kept On3’s college football expert Andy Staples busy, to say the least. However, on Wednesday’s episode of the On3 Andy Staples Podcast, he brought in an individual familiar with the transfer portal but who has no plans on using it this offseason.

Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz was Wednesday’s guest, where he discussed his decision to remain in Gainesville, FL, for one more season. He also revealed when he knew he would return to the Gators program in 2024.

“Kind of after our season ended. I mean, for me, it ended after the Mizzou game, so I had a little more time to think about it. It took a few weeks with my family, [and] talked to people around me,” said Mertz.

While Mertz may not have been looking at the transfer portal, the former Wisconsin Badgers graduate quarterback did have the option of declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. But even as coveted as that dream was for him, Mertz, after talking with his family, decided against it. And the reason why you ask? Because in just one season, Florida has made a significant impact on him, and he wants to leave the program the right way.

“I mean, you get to that point where you play the sport, and your goals go to the NFL. And for me, it’s you have that option right in front of you. But I kept thinking back to my time here this past year and how blessed I’ve been with the people around me. I put in my post the whole ‘unfinished business’ thing, and that’s the truth. I care about this place, and I want to win here.”

Mertz did not have a bad 2023 campaign at Florida. Still, the Gators only managed five wins in the 10 games he started and finished. Mertz finished the year with a rather impressive stat line. The Overland Park, KS, native completed 261 of 358 passing attempts for an impressive 72.9 completion percentage. He would throw for 2903 yards, averaging 8.1 yards per pass, with 20 passing touchdowns and three interceptions. Mertz also had four rushing touchdowns on 62 carries for Florida this season.

While it is the end of the 2023 season that Mertz and Florida would have liked, his return to the program means they could potentially put it all together beautifully in 2024 and find themselves jockeying for supremacy in the highly competitive SEC.