USA Today Ranks SEC QBs

Imo , you can't discount Startung experience at the P5 level and there is only 4 QB's with more starts than Mertz in all of the NCAACFB. Hard to knock him for his stats at a school that has predominantly been unkind to QB's you can count on 1 hand with fingers left over how many QB's have filled the stat sheet at Wiscy. He didn't have much help around him either and wiscy's normally good oline and RB's were absent the last 2 years as well. CBN said he spoke to coach Paul Chryst about Mertz and he admitted they mishandled him and had some others around him that did him no favors.

Mertz came out of HS well regarded as a pro style QB who could sling the ball, was a Elite 11 finals competitor and set the Army all american game record for TDs thrown on his way out of HS. Have to reserve judgment on him until we see what he does for us. I'm glad they are underestimating him and us. I believe our strong run game will only help him shine even more.

 

So they'll never see him coming.



Thanks for the motivation, ranker guys.

 

I am hopeful but these types of transfers rarely work (the pushed out, change of scenery, etc).

Transfers that find success are guys that are moving up or guys that transfer for non football reasons

But hopefully Mertz is the exception

 

I'm prayin for a game manager! Anything more and I'll be wearin Mertz pajamas.

 

That's just it though, we don't need Mertz to be a superstar, we just need him to be competent and not lose games for us. Our running game will be our strength,.if he can just hit the short to intermediate routes with decent consistency and take advantage of play action we'll be good.

Also 4 of the last 6 Heisman trophy winners have been transfer QB's who had left for all different reasons. And Mertz wasn't "Pushed out" I believe he wanted to go somewhere he could put his talents on display. The last coaching staff at wiscy(who was replaced) didn't do him any justice. QB's can leave for any reason and still find success even if it's because they were buried or passed over on the depth chart like Jalen Hurts or Joe Burrow.

 

Sad truth. The stats and film don’t lie. Hopefully he’s not asked to do too much here.

 

Come on online/running game.

 

I am hoping for the absolute best.

He has the pedigree so hopefully it was a coaching/talent/scheme issue.

But OTOH Wisconsin has been a better program than Florida and are ranked higher than we are.

 

Probably ate too much cheese.

Can he handle the pressure of being the UF starter and the beastly SEC defenses?
TBD

 

I will take the under on that! I am seeing above average in 23, near the top in 24. Kinda joe burrow ish.

 

We will find out soon enough. Utah, on the road, night game, season opener, Utah with revenge motivation.

IMO Utah is a solid program, on par with
6 - 4th rated SEC programs.

Fortunately if Utah is to be got, it's early in the year looking at recent patterns.

I find so much emphasis being placed on Cam's health being overrated. Their fan base seems confident they can pound the rock down the Gators throat.

It will be a good test not only for Mertz but for the front 7.

 

Well, that's how they see it. But there is one guy that likes Mertz and has him a the 10th best QB in college football..

Florida football: Joel Klatt says Mertz is a top-ten QB this fall

 

The article had this for Tennessee:

Accuracy woes previously cost Milton starting roles at Michigan, then Tennessee, but UT’s staff insists Milton is a different quarterback than when he transferred in two years ago.

Why can’t Mertz become a different quarterback than he was at Wisconsin?

 

I am hopeful, but so far, I just don't see what others here see. Not denying anyone else's insights, just stating what I have seen so far.Perhaps he will emerge in Utah.

 

I saw no real fundamental flaws in his Wisconsin highlights. But I also know his stats... can be mitigated.

I have not heard one negative thing said about Mertz by anyone. In fact the players/receivers love his skills and accuracy.

 

I completely understand your point. There is a lot to like about him. Leadership, work ethic, measurables. But I am only stating what I have seen (which is not much). I certainly want the young man to shine!

 

Totally fair on your part. Many of us, (me too) are looking at the glass half full, new start, yada yada yada.

But there are legit reasons Vegas has UF at 5.5 wins and Mertz is #14 in the SEC.

The odds do not favor UF, but every season brings a fresh start and a new story. As a Gator fan, I hope for the best.