Rapid Reaction: QB1 Graham Mertz, Justus Boone injury & Gators scrimmage
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier named his starting quarterback on Friday, with Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz winning the job. The redshirt junior QB will make his first start for the Gators in their season opener at Utah on Aug. 31.
Mertz had a 19-13 record as a three-year starter for the Badgers, finishing with 5,405 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in 34 games. His best season came last year with career highs in yards (2,136) and TDs (19) against 10 picks.
The Gators also received bad news on the injury front in their first scrimmage. Napier announced that redshirt sophomore defensive end Justus Boone suffered a torn ACL. Boone is out for the season and will have surgery on his knee in two weeks.
Following Napier’s press conference on Friday, Gators Online’s Zach Abolverdi and Nick de la Torre shared their rapid reaction to Mertz becoming the starting QB, Florida’s scrimmage on Thursday, Boone’s injury and how it impacts the DE position.
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Gators Online Rapid Reaction
Billy Napier on Graham Mertz
“I think the big thing I’ve been impressed with is just his ability to come in and learn the system, translate what he knows and apply that to our system. And then just, you know, relentless in his approach. Probably has worked as hard as any player on our team. Probably as hard as a lot of players that I’ve been around, you know, in terms of the unseen hours, right? Those are what I’m talking about specifically, and the self-discipline, to have a system, a process, a routine, to work, to connect with players, ask very intelligent questions, and is anticipating problems, right? So, Graham’s done a great job and he’s worked from the minute he pulled up in the parking lot until just a while ago. He’s continued to work to improve, so been very pleased in that regard. The level of professionalism here that I think is respected.”
Napier reacts to Justus Boone
“I would tell you this is one of the more challenging parts of the job for me, relative to having a great relationship with a young man and then observing him work and change his life as a person and as a football player. And, not just a production on the field that Boone brings to our team, but more importantly his presence as a leader. And I do think this will galvanize our team. I think this is a guy they really love and care about and will want to do their part to make up for his absence on the field. I think that we have that level of respect and accountability amongst our players and team. But we’re going to rally around Boone. You know, there’s a ton of success stories in this game of players who’ve had this injury and have went through the return-to-play and rehab process and come back and had significant success. So, you know, I think all Gators need to boost up our boy Boone today. He’s one of the best ones we have.”
