SEC intel: Why public perception of new Florida QB Graham Mertz ‘doesn’t necessarily match what he’s capable of’

One of the most impressive recent moments for Florida’s new starting QB actually came on a pass that wasn’t even completed.

It was during a red-zone portion of practice, a throw into the back of the end zone that was dropped over a defender and fit perfectly into a tight space behind him to one of Florida’s wide receivers. The ball was dropped, but it was a big-time throw from Graham Mertz that should have been caught for a touchdown. 

While it’s fair to be skeptical of Mertz’s outlook heading into the season based on his up-and-down run as the starting QB at Wisconsin, the expectation at Florida continues to be that Mertz is set to be a different and better version of himself than what people saw the past three seasons at Wisconsin.

“The public perception of what he is doesn’t necessarily match what he’s capable of,” a source told On3.

For Mertz, the move to Florida is a fresh start after posting just 29 total touchdown passes, 21 interceptions and a completion percentage under 60 percent the last two years at Wisconsin.

It also now puts the Class of 2019 top-60 overall recruit into a system that the Gators believe is more “user friendly” for him than his offense from Wisconsin.

Overall, Florida views Mertz as a good fit for Billy Napier’s offense. That was brought up by a source during the spring and came up again recently, that he may not be anywhere near as physically gifted as Florida’s previous QB (2023 Indianapolis Colts first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson) but that he fits well into this Napier offense.

“Spring, he did well, but this summer he hit a different level,” a source told On3. “Very accurate passer and sees things very well.”

“He’s really turned it on since camp started,” another source added.

Aside from his accuracy and individual throws like the one from the recent practice, Mertz has continued to impress Napier and the Florida staff with his intelligence, “cognitive ability,” command of the huddle and work ethic.

Napier said recently that Mertz has “probably worked as hard as any player on the team.” It’s because, as one source put it, “he’s literally at the office every day watching extra film and studying.”

He’s had a true professional mindset and approach, which has contributed to his continued progression at Florida dating back to the spring. And also to the Gators’ continued optimism that the results for Mertz will be better than what they were at Wisconsin.

“It may just be a situation where he needed a fresh start,” a source said. “… He’s veteran, mature and a pro. He’s stepped up to the challenge.”