Billy Napier says Florida Gators' QB battle will be decided 'relatively quickly'
At this very event last year Anthony Richardson was being introduced to the country as the next starting quarterback of the Florida Gators. When Billy Napier arrived in Nashville, Tennessee for SEC Media Days he didn’t have a quarterback with him.
The Gators are looking to replace a passer that was drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Napier hasn’t landed on an answer with the season just 43 days until the season opener. Wednesday, Napier was asked where the Gators’ quarterback battle and situation stands.
“We’ll know relatively quickly,” Napier said to the local media in Nashville.
With fall camp beginning at the end of July, Napier will look to name a starting quarterback before Florida travels to Salt Lake City to take on the Pac-12 Champion Utah Utes.
“I’ve been very pleased with those guys this summer,” Napier said. “The summer really presents the quarterbacks a time independent of the time they spend with our staff. Those guys have embraced that. Again, really pleased with what Graham brings to our team. Over 2,000 snaps, 32 starts. He’s caused others to respond. Jack has responded and had a great offseason.”
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Florida Gators quarterbacks battled in the spring
Miller started one game for the Gators in 2022. Mertz started more than 30 games at Wisconsin. Last season, Mertz finished with 2,136 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He spent most of the season scrambling for his life, getting sacked 23 times despite running an offense that predominately leaned on the running game.
The two squared off in the spring, where, to our eyes in practice, Mertz seemed to take a slight edge. He didn’t transfer to Florida to sit on the bench, but he also would have to win the job outright. Neither quarterback excelled during the spring game.
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“[We] Couldn’t get the ball rolling. And then when something big would happen, we kind of got set back a little bit. It all comes down to execution,” Mertz said after the Gators’ spring game. “I’m definitely not satisfied with it. We did do some good things. I think that skill players made a lot of plays. Ricky right before halftime made a great catch on the sideline. Guys definitely went out there and played, and I think that was fun, getting under the lights in The Swamp. I wouldn’t say even close to satisfied. I think that’s why we all play this game. I think that’s why the coaches coach. We’re addicted to always getting better, so definitely not satisfied with it.”
