Josh Heupel evaluates play of Florida quarterback Graham Mertz

Graham Mertz has had a decent start to his SEC career in Florida’s first two games. From what Josh Heupel knows about him, though, No. 11 Tennessee will have to be on Ps and Qs when it comes to defending the Gators’ quarterback.

Heupel spoke highly of Mertz during his press conference on Thursday ahead of the Florida game on Saturday night. One improvement that he has seen for far from Mertz is his mobility. Mix in his experience and that should make him a bit of a challenge for the Volunteers on defense.

“For Graham? I think he has increased his mobility just having known him all the way back to when he was in high school,” said Heupel.

“He’s been a really sound decision-maker for them. I think his experience that he has, the first couple weeks but, also, all the time that he spent at the previous spot? He’s ready for these types of games and environments.”

In two games as a Gator, Mertz has completed 45-61 passes for a 73.8% completion rate that’s well above his career average. Those have led to 526 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception thus far.

In their first game in conference play, Heupel is expecting a good performance out of Tennessee’s defense. With Mertz on the opposite side, he’s calling on them to put him under duress with their pass rush while also doing so by handling their business in early down situations.

“We’ve got to do a great job,” said Heupel. “I said we’ve got to apply pressure to him, make him uncomfortable inside the pocket. But a lot of that starts with being really efficient defensively on first and second down. You’ve got to do a good job with the run game.”

Heupel expects Cooper Mays to play vs. Florida

Tennessee has missed a significant part of their offensive line over the first two weeks with the absence of Cooper Mays. That should be set to change this weekend, though, based on the latest from Josh Heupel.

Heupel said during his press conference on Wednesday that the Volunteers expect Mays to make his season debut this weekend at Florida. He added that the senior has been ramping up this week and should be ready to go this weekend in The Swamp.

“He’ll be going with us,” said Heupel. “He’s been really good all week long. So we anticipate him being ready to play.”

In 31 games at Tennessee, Mays has made 23 starts as the center on the Vols’ offensive line. In those 30-plus appearances in orange, he has seen over 1,500 snaps and allowed only four sacks.

That’s why, heading into 2023, many voted him as an All-SEC Selection on either the second, third, or fourth teams while he also made the watchlist for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Tennessee has allowed two sacks through two games without Mays in the lineup. That effort should only get better in his return, especially since it’s opportune timing with Saturday night being their first contest of conference play down in Gainesville.