Billy Napier nearing a decision on the Florida Gators starting QB
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — During SEC Media Days last month, Gators coach Billy Napier indicated that Florida’s quarterback competition could be settled after the first scrimmage. One week into training camp, that still appears to be the case.
Redshirt junior Graham Mertz, a three-year starter at Wisconsin, has been competing for the starting job throughout the offseason with redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III, who made his first career start in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The Gators will practice two more times this week before holding their first scrimmage of fall camp on Thursday. During his news conference Monday, Napier was asked if he hopes to have a decision made by the week’s end.
“Yeah, we’ve got three practices here. We’re reloading today, and then we’ll be prepping for the scrimmage. That’ll have a lot to do with it,” Napier said. “But we’ve seen the body of work and it’s all going to matter. We’re right in the middle of that process and we do have competition. We’re looking forward to watching those guys for the next couple days.”
Napier meets with the media again on Friday.
Mertz and Miller split first-team reps during spring ball and both played one half with the starting offense in the Orange & Blue Game. Mertz finished 18 of 29 for 244 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, while Miller completed 10 of 20 pass attempts for 144 yards and a touchdown.
During the summer, however, Mertz seemingly took on more of a leadership role with the team, as Gators Online reported in June that he was the only quarterback among the 16 captains named for Regimen workouts. Mertz entered fall training camp as the clear favorite to win the job.
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He took the majority of the first-team reps during Saturday’s open practice, although Miller still worked with the starters as well. Napier has been “very pleased” with Florida’s vertical passing game with Mertz and Miller.
“I think we’ve connected on a number of deep balls so far in training camp, you know, in all thirds of the field,” Napier said. “I think these guys can do what we ask our quarterback to do. Got no issue there.”
Starting right tackle Damieon George transferred to Florida in January with Mertz. The former Alabama offensive lineman been impressed with his leadership abilities, communication skills and knowledge of the offense.
“Man, Graham Mertz, he’s very smart. He keeps us composed, and he just has a leader mindset,” George said. “He’s very vocal with getting guys in the right place. If the O-line is standing around and we need to get down, he’ll tell us to get down. Making the right protection, putting us in the right protection against a blitz. He’s a very vocal leader.”
