Graham Mertz has fans ready to ditch Florida QB rotation with hot start at MSU
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Graham Mertz is looking like his old self on Saturday in Starkville.
Mertz had a standout 2023 season, his first at Florida. His 2024 wasn’t going too well, until Saturday.
Mertz entered Week 4 having thrown 1 touchdown pass this season. He struggled in Week 1 against Miami, a game he left with a concussion. Mertz missed Week 2, and freshman DJ Lagway dazzled as the starter. Florida’s offense struggled in a Week 3 loss to Texas A&M, but Mertz was the more effective QB against the Aggies.
In Starkville, Mertz is putting it together. In the first half, he threw touchdown passes to TE Arlis Boardingham, WR Marcus Burke and TE Hayden Hansen. He finished the half going 15-of-16 for 147 yards and 3 touchdowns, even while sitting Lagway’s 2 series.
Graham Mertz has caught fire and is throwing dots right now finding Hayden Hansen for his 3rd touchdown pass of the day‼️‼️ @GrahamMertz5 @HaydenHansen89 #Gators pic.twitter.com/bUsXUNMPaf
— Gator Guy Billy (@GatorGuyBilly) September 21, 2024
The pump fake from Graham Mertz and double move from Marcus Burke on this play are just gorgeous pic.twitter.com/rvr9q5UeOi
— Jacob Rudner (@JacobRudner) September 21, 2024
Florida gets on the board first! pic.twitter.com/nhvDweMWqo
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 21, 2024
Mertz’s strong showing in Starkville had social media buzzing, and critical of Billy Napier’s plan for a scripted QB rotation.
It’s pretty damn clear Graham Mertz is the better quarterback. He’s in a rhythm and I fully expect him to be benched next drive.
— Gary (@GDan1els) September 21, 2024
I wholeheartedly believe that Graham Mertz has all the tools and traits necessary to have a long NFL career and has been wasted by the Florida coaching staff
— Aggie Sports 365 (@365Aggie) September 21, 2024
Graham Mertz got his job back. Leave him in the game. We go up 35-7, let Lagway come in for experience.
— T. Curry (@TylerMCurry) September 21, 2024
Graham mertz is 15/16 with 147 yards and 3 tds pic.twitter.com/kCyrVYQFZ8
— Brodie (@BrodieKnowsBall) September 21, 2024
Graham Mertz turns into Tom Brady against bad defenses
— Ty (@TakesByTY) September 21, 2024
Graham Mertz looks much more confident and like a completely different quarterback, glad that Billy is letting him ride this game out and not going with a quarterback carousel. Let’s go Gators! #florida #gators #ncaa #cfb #football #collegegameday
— Charlie Jones (@NJGatorMedia) September 21, 2024
Graham Mertz has been awesome this first half. This is the offense that should’ve been the expectation all season
— Jordan J MacGeever (@j_macgeever) September 21, 2024
Keep Graham Mertz, the starter for the rest of the year Seen Enough DJ The Young Buck Need To wait His Turn !!!! @GatorsFB #Florida #FloridaGators #FloridaVSMississippiState
— Ethan Santiago (@EthanSa22488650) September 21, 2024
https://twitter.com/thereal_nedu/status/1837539184736661656
Graham Mertz absolutely dealing.
There is zero reason why Billy Napier should put in DJ Lagway the rest of this game.
— Lucas Dolengowski (@LDolengowski) September 21, 2024
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
