Florida Gators QB Graham Mertz undergoes surgery on torn ACL

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz underwent surgery Tuesday to repair his torn ACL, he revealed on Instagram. The sixth-year senior suffered the season-ending injury against Tennessee on Oct. 12.

Two days later, UF coach Billy Napier announced that Mertz was done for the year and would have surgery this week.

“It’s only right for me to say how much I appreciate and am thankful for Graham in terms of all he has brought to the table on our team. Not only his production on the field, but also just his impact on the team as a whole, his leadership, the work ethic, the example, the self-discipline,” Napier said.

“It’s been awesome to be a part of his growth and development and to see him get to the place where he’s been here lately. Graham has meant a lot to me, but I would also say he’s meant a lot to this program and certain the University of Florida, and he has a sincere care for this place and all it has done for him.”

Mertz made a drastic improvement as a quarterback at Florida after transferring from Wisconsin, where he struggled with accuracy and turnovers. His completion percentage dipped each year to as low as 57.3% in 2022 after 59.5% the previous season, when he threw more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10).

Mertz turned his two biggest weaknesses into strengths with the Gators. He led the SEC last year in completion percentage (72.9%) and fewest interceptions (3), all of which were tipped passes, while setting career highs for passing yards (2,903), passing touchdowns (20), completions (261) and attempts (358).

A broken collarbone ended his 2023 season in the SEC finale before the FSU game, and Mertz decided to return to Florida after receiving some mid-round grades for the NFL Draft. He upped his quarterback rating (164.1) and completion percentage (76.6%) in 2024, including third-highest single-game mark in school history (90.5%) against Mississippi State when was 19-of-21 for 201 yards and three TDs.

“Day 1! Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers! The journey starts NOW! Surgery went well in every aspect. God is good, all the time! Embrace pain!!” Mertz wrote on his Instagram post Tuesday.

Mertz’s last play as a Gator was a touchdown pass to put his team up 10-0 at Rocky Top. He met with the media last Tuesday to reflect on his college career, time at Florida and injury setbacks while looking ahead to his recovery from surgery and draft process.

“I think that my job right now is to be a coach, to be in the meeting rooms, to talk to guys, just be myself and continue what I was doing. Obviously it’s a little different, not being able to be out at practice. But I think my job right now is to help this team win any way I can. For right now … it’s talking through defensive structures, our game plan and prepping as if I’m playing. Because in doing that, I can help out a lot of people and just kind of help them do their job a little bit better,” Mertz said.

“The timetable adds up to where there could be a possible pro day. There’s so many things that are still in sight, but for me the biggest thing right now is just focusing on getting this surgery, getting rehabbing. In the meantime, there’s going to be a lot of board work, prep for the meetings, all that stuff will be good. I’m just focused right now on getting the surgery, getting rehabbing and taking it one day at a time and getting a little bit better. It’ll all take care of itself.”