How is Former Wisconsin Badgers Quarterback Graham Mertz doing in Florida?

Former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz made the decision to transfer from the Badgers to the Florida Gators right before the bowl game in 2022. In his two games with the Gators, Mertz has played well enough to lead the Gators to a 1-1 record.

Graham Mertz and His Time with the Wisconsin Badgers

The start of Graham Mertz’s Badgers career didn’t go as planned as a freshman. He lost the starting quarterback role to Jack Coan, and ultimately decided to redshirt his freshman year with the Badgers.

The following season, Coan was injured in practice, right before the 2020 season began. Mertz was named the new starting quarterback and became the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the badgers since 1978.

Mertz completed his tenure with the Badgers by having a career-best season completing 164 of 286 passes for 2,136 yards and 19 touchdowns. He finished his career in Wisconsin with a 19-13 record as a starter, ranking 8th all-time in Wisconsin Badgers starts as a quarterback

This Season with the Florida Gators

Graham Mertz has begun the season with the Florida Gators in stellar fashion, despite the 1-1 record. He’s completed 43 of 61 passes and his most recent game saw Mertz and the Gators put up 49 points against the McNeese Cowboys.

He ranks 8th in the SEC with 526 passing yards and his 73.77 completion percentage has him at 3rd in the SEC. Surprisingly, he threw for more yards in the loss against Utah Utes with 333 and a 70.5 completion percentage.

Josh Heupel, head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers, has praised Mertz, and believes that his experience with the Wisconsin Badgers sets him up well for games like this weekend against Tennessee, the first of their conference games: “He’s been a really sound decision-maker for them. I think his experience that he has, the first couple weeks but, also, all the time that he spent at the previous spot? He’s ready for these types of games and environments.”

Mertz is poised to set new season highs for himself, and it remains to be seen if he will do that.