Billy Napier: Graham Mertz 'one of the best things' to happen to Florida this offseason

Graham Mertz’s offseason progress was the highlight of the Florida offseason, according to head coach Billy Napier.

After transferring in from Wisconsin, Mertz had to reinvent himself. Well, he had to do so again after not having the success and NFL buzz he hoped for after 2023.

Still, the improvements he made this time around are surely going to lead to success, according to his head coach.

“Yeah, I mean, I think what Graham did was he proved himself on the field last year,” Napier said on SEC Network. “And the way he competed, the toughness, the grit, the way he prepared to play, he really set an example in our building on how to prepare. The way he started this offseason is completely different than last and a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unknowns. He was trying to establish himself with a new team, new staff and then he came back with a purpose you know? 

“He’s got middle round grades and he’s trying to improve that but it was more about that. I think he wants to pay back Florida for really helping him reestablish himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the country. So it’s his team, and he’s earned their respect and he has worked that way. He’s had purpose, he’s had a great offseason and I’m extremely proud of him. It’s one of the best things, it’s the top of the list (of) best things that’s happened to Florida football this offseason.”

The sixth-year quarterback had his best season statistically with the Gators. After struggling with turnovers during his final seasons at Wisconsin, Mertz cleaned it up as Napier alluded to.

Mertz finished with 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 72.9% completion percentage for Florida last Fall.

“Well, I think if you look at the season, you know, we go through everything in each offseason, I think we’re trying to get him to take advantage and be aggressive on some of the down the field opportunities,” Napier said. 

“And I think if you look at the film closely, there were some opportunities, right? So again, it goes back to the context, right? Graham’s issue was turning the ball over right? He had issues managing the game, those types of things. We cleaned that up. Now it’s time to kind of that tempered aggression. You know, take your chances when you get opportunities. So we’ve got the weapons to do it. And I think he’s in position to have a great year.”