I kinda of think this worked out best for everyone. Miami NIL buy out and no guarantee starting here had him go elsewhere. Gators get a new NIL partner that 2024 recruits must really like out if this fiasco. And Mertz was a 5 star, has ton of experience. We just need him to manage the game. We will win more games this year with Mertz over Rashada, especially with Miller's injury. But the NIL partner is working great for our 2024 class... How many years until Rashada transfers?
It all depends on what you think has happened with Nix in Oregon. Did he "get religion" or did he just face limited defenses? Methinks it is the latter. He is a more dynamic version of Emory Jones; he hits a VERY tough ceiling against better defenses. Personally, I wish Rashada well, as I think he has a s_itshow around him called "handlers, family and friends", but then again the entire major college game is pretty much the same. I would hate that a Gator fan or two (or three or four or...) decided he looks "awesome" in highlights if Mertz and Company looks pedestrian against our competition in real time.
Yep, me too. I’m really curious. Once he de-committed, we started hearing the usual message traffic that he wasn’t that good. I don’t know what to believe about him now. While I think he made the wrong choice and handled the situation poorly, he’s a young man and most likely had some bad adult influences around him.
Mertz. Clearly experienced and that can't be taught. Rashada is a baby freshman, just out of high school. Definitely will have an easier job in the PAC-4 for the single year he is there.
Mertz probably would be starting regardless but Rashada would have been nice to have as a potential developmental prospect in case of injury. It's water under the bridge now. Hopefully, we get good production out of Mertz. Hopefully.