Florida’s senior quarterback Graham Mertz went down after firing a 13-yard TD pass to Arlis Boardingham in the third quarter against Tennessee. While nobody knew the severity of it, the broadcast shot of running back Cam Carroll comforting Mertz on the sideline said it all. Mertz had torn his ACL on a 15-yard scramble two plays before, but willingly finished the drive with a touchdown pass to extend Florida’s lead to 10-0.
After six years of college football, 48 starts, and 1,225 career passes, Mertz’s collegiate playing career came to an end in week seven.
“This wasn’t really how I saw the end of my career here being,” Mertz said on Wednesday. “I think the biggest thing these past couple of days, I’ve just been so thankful for the whole experience, so thankful for you guys, for everybody in this building, everything everybody’s done to help better me as a player and a person. I’m forever thankful for it.”
Mertz’s injury happened after he appeared in five games, which means he isn’t eligible for a medical redshirt. However, the 23-year-old quarterback didn’t have any plans to return to college for a 7th year as his eyes are set on the NFL.
“It’s time for the next step,” Mertz said on if he would have returned. “Played a lot of ball, man, a lot of college football. I just know that mentally, emotionally and physically, I’m ready for that next step. And obviously this is something new I got to attack and get ready for that. Like I said and I will always say, I love this place. I can play 50 years of college football here if I could. But I just know that mentally I’m ready to be in an NFL locker room, to lead men and do that. So it definitely excites me, and that would be what we’re working for.”
While Mertz’s collegiate playing career is over, he’s still focused on helping the Gators win football games with half a season left to play.
“Coach,” Mertz said on his new role. “My job is to be a coach, to be in the meeting rooms, to talk to guys, just be myself and continue what I was doing. Obviously it’s a little different, not being able to be out at practice. But I think my job right now is to help. I said it in my post, it’s my job to help this team win any way I can. For right now, it’s the meeting rooms. It’s talking through defensive structures, our game plan and prepping as if I’m playing. Because in doing that I can help out a lot of people and just kind of help them do their job a little bit better.”
DJ Lagway’s father, Derek, shared a heartfelt message on social media where he thanked Mertz for being a great leader and mentor for their son.
“I think that’s what you play this game for,” Mertz said on making a positive impact on DJ Lagway. “I wake up every day, and my goal is to go serve other people in any facet, that is, if it’s putting a smile on your face, if it’s trying to show you the right way to do something, if it’s just being someone to talk to. I think that’s why this game’s so special because you can have that impact on a lot of people.”
All eyes are on the talented five-star freshman, who will take over as Florida’s starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Mertz will be with him every step of the way.
“I’ll be there with an earpiece in, getting the calls,” Mertz said. “I’m here in any way, shape or form for DJ, for this quarterback room. I told him, whatever you need, if it’s someone to talk to about life, if it’s someone to talk to about what I’m seeing on the field. I’m not going to overstep, but I’m going to do everything I can to help.”
So what’s next for Graham Mertz?
There’s currently no date for his surgery as his knee still has some swelling. Mertz didn’t rule out the possibility of playing at Florida’s Pro Day, which typically takes place in late March.
“In the meantime, there’s going to be a lot of board work, prep for the meetings, all that stuff will be good. I’m just focused right now on getting the surgery, getting rehabbing and taking it one day at. time and getting a little bit better. It’ll all take care of itself.”