Graham Mertz was the highest-rated high school quarterback who ever signed with the Wisconsin Badgers out of high school. He arrived with as much hype as Russell Wilson did as a transfer. Wisconsin, as a program, isn’t known for throwing the football but maybe with a highly touted quarterback like Mertz, they could evolve and become a playoff contender.

Mertz played in two games while redshirting in 2019. He started every regular season game for the Badgers over the next three seasons. Even though he was starting, the offense wasn’t really allowing Mertz to develop as a passer. There was a game in 2021 where he had just eight pass attempts. When Wisconsin’s administration made the decision to fire head coach Paul Chryst during the 2022 season, which solidified Mertz’s decision to leave Wisconsin.

“That offense was run first, run second, run, run, run.” Graham’s father, Ron Mertz told Florida Victorious. “I remember the final point was he had eight attempts vs. Purdue and he looked at me and he said, ‘Dad, we’ve gotta find a place to throw the football, where I can develop and do what I’m trying to do. Really the other part was very personal. The staff got fired and he loved Coach Chryst. Those were his brothers and for them to be abrupt and fire that staff the way they did, he needed out of there, to find a new home.”

Mertz took a visit to Florida and, after years in Wisconsin, enjoyed the warm weather in December. With Anthony Richardson off to the NFL, Florida was in need of an experienced quarterback. Mertz and Billy Napier hit it off and on December 21, Mertz committed to Florida.

The initial reaction was mixed. Wisconsin would be a great place to go and get a transfer portal offensive lineman, or running back, but a quarterback? Really? Mertz took the transfer as a second chance. A fresh start. Even as those outside the building questioned Napier’s decision, Mertz put his head down and worked.
“I never see him leave,” offensive tackle Austin Barber said of Mertz in the spring of 2023. “When I get here, his car is here. When I leave, his car is still here.”

He won the starting job and as the season progressed he earned the respect of his teammates, coaching staff, and eventually the fanbase. He showed leadership, toughness, and humility. He would deflect praise to his teammates while shouldering responsibility when the team fell short.

His first season exceeded all outside expectations. He finished the year with career-highs in completions (261), passing yards (2,903), touchdown passes (20), completion percentage (72.9%), passing yards per game (263.9) and efficiency (157.8). He cut down his interceptions to a career-low three. Mertz set program records of consecutive passes without an interception (239), consecutive passes completed (19), and a season-best completion percentage of 72.9% (261 of 358).

Mertz decided to come back to Florida for his sixth and final season. At the time he said he felt that he had unfinished business. That he felt a sense of duty to Florida and to Billy Napier.

Mertz underwent surgery to repair a broken collarbone. He returned to the team before spring camp and led his team in the offseason, which included taking a young DJ Lagway under his wing. Lagway and his family have gone out of their way to thank Mertz for how pivotal he was and still is in DJ’s development.

“Graham means everything to me,” Lagway said of Mertz. “He’s like a big brother to me. He’s taught me the ropes, man. Since I got here in January, there was never no egos in it. It’s always just been him mentoring me and leading me and teaching me how to be a professional, especially at this level, so it’s been amazing to have Graham.

There was a rocky start. Mertz sustained a concussion in a season-opening loss to Miami, forcing him to miss the second game against Samford. Against Texas A&M he and Lagway rotated drives, and neither quarterback really able to get into a rhythm. Then, in a loss at Tennessee, Mertz’s college career ended. He actually tore his ACL a play before, but as Billy Napier puts it, he wanted to stay in for one more play.

Officially, his playing career ended on a touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham. Football is a physical game and injuries happen. Watching Mertz’s season and college career end with trainers by his side on the field was sickening.

But it won’t be the end of his story. Mertz remained active and around the team. The following week he took Lagway down to a room at the team hotel and went through the walk through again, just a senior trying to do what he could for the freshman phenom who would replace him.

When Mertz decided to come back to Florida for his senior season he said this.

“I care about this place. This place gave me a second chance in college, they put in so much time, energy, and effort into developing me as a player, as a person, that I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I feel like I owe this place everything I got.”

His actions now, in a time of personal struggle, backed up those words.

Two weeks ago, Mertz put his blue Florida jersey on one more time. He was the last senior to be introduced on senior day and the sold-out crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium erupted. It was recognition from a fan base, who two years prior questioned Billy Napier for even recruiting Mertz to Florida. Those questions have long been answered.

It was a moment that Graham and Ron Mertz got to share. Ron being able to take in what a roar from the Swamp feels like when your feet are on the grass in the brick cathedral that sits on Stadium Road and Gale Lemerand Drive.

“That’s any father’s highlight. To see the outpouring of support. Florida has been great the whole time. I’m sure there’s people who didn’t know him coming in and asked the questions and doubted if this kid is right for Florida, Wisconsin quarterback, all that. He won the city over. I think he earned it,” Ron told Florida Victorious. “I’m super proud about how he’s gone about it. He just shut up and worked. Ultimately, the fans and the community embraced him. If you ask him where he went to school, he’s saying Florida. That’s his spot. Not even a question. The first half didn’t even really take place from his view. He really kind of came into his own there, when he needed to for his development. He fell in love with the city. It was great to see the outpouring of support. It was huge.”

Mertz’s story isn’t done. He’s working to get strength back in his surgically repaired knee. He’s hellbent on having a Pro Day and will surely get an invite to the Senior Bowl, where — while he won’t be able to play or practice, will be able to meet with teams and showcase his knowledge by going over film or breaking down plays.

Having a Pro Day so soon after ACL surgery is an aggressive goal, but if there’s anything Florida fans have learned about Graham Mertz over the last two years it’s to not doubt him when he says he’s going to do something.