Gators 2024 Positional Outlook: Quarterback

He shattered his 1.5-to-1 career touchdown-to-interception ratio at nearly a 7-to-1 rate, with 20 scores and only three picks on the year. His 2,903 passing yards were almost 800 more than his previous single-season high of 2,136, posted in 2022.

Additionally, Mertz led qualifying Southeastern Conference quarterbacks with a completion percentage of 72.9. His previous single-season high as a starter was 61.1%, produced over seven games in 2020. 

Mertz reached these heights despite taking a beating behind a regressed Gators offensive line in 2023, which gave up a total of 39 sacks on the year. 

He was pressured by opposing defenders 120 times, according to Pro Football Focus. Some of these situations were of his own doing, however, caused by the quarterback holding onto the ball for too long in hopes of a big play rather than checking down or throwing it away.

Mertz's deep passing accuracy displayed room to improve, too, although a lack of great throwing power was notable from his performances with Wisconsin. 

His completion percentage dropped to 40% on passes of 20+ yards with Florida in 2023, compared to 63.2% between 10-19 yards, 84.7% between 0-9 yards and 89.8% behind the line of scrimmage, per PFF. UF limited Mertz to 40 deep passing attempts on the year, of his 358 total throws.

Comparatively, Richardson made 64 deep passing attempts over 327 total throws in 2022.

Overall, Florida nailed its scout on Mertz when it accepted his transfer over one year ago. Head coach Billy Napier decreased the deep passing volume of UF's offensive scheme to allow Mertz to play to his strengths as a passer, and he did just that, at a level previously unseen in his college career. 

The lack of consistent protection ahead of Mertz led him to brief exits from multiple games, and in Week 12, Mertz suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in his left shoulder.

His nicks, bruises and legitimate injury allowed backup quarterbacks, redshirt freshman Max Brown and super senior walk-on Micah Leon, to take the field on multiple occasions for the Gators in 2023. 

Each performed admirably relative to expectations, considering Brown joined UF as a little-known recruit a year earlier and Leon had previously made one appearance over six years of college. 

Brown completed 19-of-28 passes for 192 yards with one interception in six appearances, including a start in the season finale, at home against Florida State. Leon completed 2-of-3 passes for 16 yards against McNeese State in Week 2. 

Out and In

Scholarship players only

• Out: Max Brown (transferred to Charlotte), Jack Miller III (graduation)

• In: DJ Lagway (freshman), Clay Millen (transferred from Colorado State)

Looking Forward

Mertz opted to return for a second season with Florida, and his sixth and final year of eligibility, in 2024, rather than enter the upcoming NFL Draft.

In an offseason full of change in Gainesville, Mertz's decision offers Florida stability at the most important position in the game. Aside from his restoration as QB1, though, the Gators' quarterback room has embraced fluctuation.

Gone are Brown, Leon and two-year reserve Jack Miller III. Replacing Brown and Miller on scholarship are Clay Millen, a transfer from Colorado State, and DJ Lagway, Florida's anticipated quarterback of the future and a consensus five-star prospect from the 2024 recruiting class.

Excitement, both external and internal, regarding Lagway's Florida enrollment is palpable. 

One of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterback prospects to come out of the high school ranks in recent years, and the highest-rated passer to join Florida since Jeff Driskel in 2011, there is a belief that Lagway's presence will push the Gators back into national relevancy and toward contending in the SEC and the College Football Playoff.

Florida fans should get a taste of Lagway's skill set during his freshman year. He suggested in December 2023 that the UF coaching staff envisions him playing in every game of his rookie season. 

But as Lagway receives necessary development behind the scenes and occasional utilization on game day, Florida's offense will remain Mertz's to operate. 

Barring significant regression from his career year, Mertz has earned the chance to enter the 2024 season as UF's unquestioned starting quarterback, after spending the 2023 offseason in a supposed competition for the role. 

With comfort in the system, the 2023 emergence of weapons like receiver Eugene Wilson III and tight end Arlis Boardingham, and the additions of transfers to the pass-catching and blocking units this offseason, Mertz could reasonably take another step forward as a super senior before entering the 2025 NFL Draft. 

At that point, Lagway would take the reigns of Florida's offense. 

Early 2024 Gators QB Depth Chart Projection

1. Graham Mertz, r-Sr. 

2. DJ Lagway, Fr. 

3. Clay Millen, r-Jr. 

Reserves: Parker Leise* (r-Fr.), Aidan Warner* (r-Fr.), Paul Kessler* (Fr.) 

* indicates walk-on status