Florida QB Graham Mertz inks NIL deal with Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville

Graham Mertz will be riding around in style for his final season of college football.

The Florida quarterback announced an NIL partnership Monday afternoon with the Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville dealership. It’s not the first time he’s done work with a car dealership during his college career. He landed a Range Rover Sport Supercharged in an NIL partnership with Essential Motors NJ in February 2023.

Now working with Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville, full details of the agreement were not disclosed but Mertz will work with the company throughout the summer and fall, making appearances and promoting on social media.

In his first year in the SEC, Mertz threw for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He also led the SEC with a 72.9% completion percentage. The Gators finished 5-7, as the quarterback missed the last game of the season with a collarbone injury. Now fully recovered, he enters the summer as Florida’s starting quarterback.

“The first thing I would say is he has the respect of the entire organization and the respect of his teammates,” Gators head coach Billy Napier said this spring. “I think over time, his example – not only with his work ethic but as a competitor, has the toughness, the way he prepares, the way he treats people. Not just his teammates, but I would say all throughout the building. He’s a consummate pro.

“I think the quarterback sets the standard for the entire team and organization. And he’s done that. Him being back is a huge deal – not only for him personally and our team but for DJ [Lagway], as well. I think just in general, his leadership, his voice, I mean, the guy is – it’s a big deal for the Florida Gators that Graham Mertz is back to play quarterback.”

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Lagway, the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2024 class, will push for playing time this fall. Mertz is expected to start, though. A highly touted four-star quarterback coming out of high school, he transferred to Florida after four seasons at Wisconsin. Mertz is the most experienced and proven quarterback in the room.

Graham Mertz building out NIL portfolio

Car deals have become increasingly popular in the NIL Era. Every dealership handles deals differently, with some handing keys over for a season while others, such as Lamborghini Austin, open up the opportunity for athletes to drive a vehicle a certain amount of times. Some athletes are responsible for purchasing their own car insurance, too.

Graham Mertz previously inked endorsement deals with Panini America, Pepsi, Raising Cane’s and PDQ Chicken. He’ll be at the Manning Passing Academy later this month. The quarterback has worked extensively with the Florida-driven NIL collective Florida Victorious, too.

Mertz has opted-in to EA Sports College Football 25. Represented by Equity Sports, he’s dropped his own merch line. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback also has nearly 105,000 social media followers.