good news for Florida Gator: he is back
Gators to rely on Mertz in more ways than one.
Billy Napier’s third year at Florida marks the beginning of a new era, with Lagway serving as a symbol of hope for a better future and return to the top. They feel it is only a matter of time before Lagway wins the Heisman Trophy and is commemorated with a statue outside the Swamp.
This is not one of those stories.
To be clear, Lagway is an important part of this story and the Gators’ future, but so is Florida’s starting quarterback, whose participation at Thursday’s first spring camp practice was almost as noteworthy. Graham Mertz shattered his collarbone last season at Missouri and was in excruciating pain when we last saw him on the field.
“I hope no one ever breaks a collarbone in their life because [sleeping] was terrible,” he explained.
In his first season at Florida, Mertz, 23, had his best statistical season yet. Mertz completed 72.9% of his passes, totaling 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Mertz, a three-year starter at Wisconsin, chose to return for his sixth year of eligibility and has the opportunity to help the Gators improve in 2024.
“Frankly, I was dissatisfied with last year,” he explained. “I base my happiness on whether we won every game. I believe that’s what should motivate you.”
Mertz enters the season with 43 career starts, ranking near the top of all returning quarterbacks in terms of experience. He returned to the field on Thursday and was able to toss and do everything he did before his season-ending injury the previous year.
Mertz’s choice to return to school was one of Florida’s most important offseason moves. He gives leadership at the game’s most important position and can assist the 18-year-old Lagway in adjusting to the collegiate level and learning what he needs to know about Napier’s offensive scheme.
“The benefit of D.J is being able to observe Graham, and Graham has certainly embraced that mentorship and done an outstanding job thus far.” “They both see the big picture.”
What Lagway’s position will be is unknown, but Napier will not have to rush him into the starting lineup as long as Mertz is healthy. Lagway possesses a powerful arm and is a dual-threat player on every snap.
Mertz is immediately pleased by his youthful teammates’ work ethic and talent. He wants to assist Lagway in any way that he can.
“He’s elite,” Mertz said. “I’m not Gatorade National Player of the Year and all this stuff, so it’s a different scale. So, I can bring things that I went through, and recently when I was learning the offense here, and how to teach him, ways to grow faster, but I mean, he’s doing an excellent job.
“He came here to learn, grow, and compete. I mean, I saw him out there today going into competitive mode, and it pumped me up a little.”
Lagway, a 6-foot-3, 241-pound powerhouse from Willis, Texas, received the most attention from the outside media throughout practice. Everyone wanted to see the Next Best Thing wearing his No. 2 jersey.
Lagway threw for over 4,604 yards and 58 touchdowns as a senior at Willis (Texas) High. He had 957 running yards and 16 touchdowns.
“We all understand that he is talented,” Napier added. “He has made major accomplishments. We’re thrilled he’s here. “He is earning respect one day at a time.”
Meanwhile, Mertz will carry on as he has since coming in January 2023 and setting up shop at the Heavener Training Center. As newcomer Lagway strives to earn respect in the building, Mertz will continue to expand his.
Mertz is in good health and wants to help Lagway. But he is also a competitor. He did not travel to Florida to lose.
“Are you performing your work to the best of your abilities? “We won five games,” Mertz explained. “That is not it. That is why I am back.
