With the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner we got to sit down with former Wisconsin Badger and Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz this week ahead of the draft to talk all things football.
Graham Mertz had an interesting career to say the least from his time as a prep star in Highland Parks, Kansas to his final career start in Gainesville and everywhere in between.
Mertz began at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kansas then transferred to Blue Valley North where he emerged as a top recruit and a star nationally.
Mertz led Blue Valley North to a state championship. As a senior, he led his team to the state final in a loss but was named Gatorade State Player of The Year while also throwing for 3,886 passing yards and a Kansas state-record 51 touchdowns.
The 2018 Elite 11 finalist also earned All-American Game MVP honors after throwing five touchdowns after being named a consensus four-star recruit he committed to play football at Wisconsin over other offers including Alabama, LSU, Kansas State, Georgia, and Notre Dame.
Mertz’s career at Wisconsin ultimately didn’t go as planned. Despite being a highly regarded freshman, he lost the starting quarterback battle to Jack Coan in 2019 and sat on the bench for most of the year. He earned his job back at Wisconsin and started 33 games as the Badgers QB. In his three seasons at Wisconsin under former head coach Paul Chryst, Mertz threw for 38 touchdowns, 26 interceptions, 5,332 yards and a 70.2 completion percentage.
He then transferred to Florida under head coach Billy Napier to replace 2023 first round pick Anthony Richardson. Mertz career at Florida was plauged bu injuries with two concussions, a sprained ankle and two torn acls.
Through six seasons in college, Mertz threw for 9,099 yards and 64 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. He finished his career at Florida as the program's leader in true percentage.
When Mertz went down with his injury he sent a message on social media to Florida fans and thanked them for "two incredible years in Gainesville." During his recovery, he vowed to "remain a part of the program and do whatever I can in meeting rooms and from the sideline to help my teammates win."
Here is what Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier said about Mertz and his teams Pro Day last month “This is a great day for this group,” coach Billy Napier stated to the Gainesville Sun. “We got great, rave reviews from all the NFL organizations about this group as a whole, in terms of how they prepared, how they performed so far, the interview process yesterday, today.”
Mertz was glad to be back on the field during Florida's pro day after he suffered a torn acl against Tennessee in October at Neyland Stadium.
“It felt amazing for me to throw to those guys again. When you go home for 3 or 4 months and train, you don't have your guys around you,” said Mertz. “It's weird. Coming back and throwing to those guys was awesome." the sixth year senior told Florida Gators on SI
According to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, he ripped a 58-yard pass and consistently kept the ball off the ground throughout his throwing session.
https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1905438258290455013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1905438258290455013%7Ctwgr%5E4f6ea927dd006fdf3bdf7ae3cc109b0ac090fef6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fflorida%2Ffootball%2Fgators-qb-graham-mertz-nfl-case-pro-day-01jqfc23q97y
We asked Mertz a few questions about his game and what he continues to do to grow as a player
SECU: What was the hardest part about transferring and playing in different systems year in and out?
Mertz: “I've played a lot of ball, different offenses, different schemes. I love that part, it helped me grow and handle adversity"
SECU: What was the biggest difference playing in the BIG 10 versus the SEC?
Mertz: The Big Ten has more zone defenses, which rely on coverage based on the location of receivers rather than individual matchups. Also it's tougher with the weather and styles of play each and every week. In the SEC, man-to-man coverage is more prevalent and used you have to rely on instinct and the game speed is a bit faster, the crowds are both intense but the SEC is a gaunlet each and every week man. I respect both conferences 1A,1B.
SECU: How did you like wearing the legendary Tim Tebow's number 15 at Florida?
Mertz: “There wasn’t really any expectations (about a number),” Mertz said, “I didn't really ask for a number, they just assigned me the jersey number.” I was just there to do my job, it was an honor and cool to wear 15 though obviously."
SECU: How was it playing and mentoring freshman phenom DJ Lagway last season?
Mertz: “I was so proud to have played with DJ for a year and whenever he got those reps, when I went down he maximized them 100%. He is a great leader and wise beyond his year, UF fans have something special brewing in Gainesville with DJ under center and as a leader of men"
SECU: What are your goals for the NFL Draft this weekend, the upcoming season and future for your career in football?
Mertz: I've had a lot of experiences in college. Obviously, I'm coming off an ACL, so I know it will take however long the team doctor thinks before I can get out there and start playing. But, my goal is to be ready to go for minicamp." I've had a lot of experiences and learned from them all, and I know how to lead men. Point blank, period.
He is projected to be a day 3 late-round pick, or a potentially undrafted free agent, and is considered an average career backup prospect. Mertz has all the traits and tools to be a solid NFL QB but with his age (25) this year, injuries and inconsistency throughout his career it's going to be a uphill battle but Mertz is one of the toughest and smartest young men in the class.
The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 24