Graham Mertz, Game Manager Appreciation Thread - (updated to 2024 season)

Just to follow up...last year our QB was 7th in SEC QBR. So you have a point: middle of the pack QB last year and this year.

Fingers-crossed the upward trend continues, sneak into the top third. That would be so crazy far ahead of predictions that we should be content.

 

That’s all most of us were hoping for is middle of the pack. It may be achieved by different methods but still an average qb as far as sec standards. We’ve played two decent teams out of three and that s ays alot about our offense as a whole. Looks like less big plays and more consistency. If our line gets better and Mertz has more time for longer routes to develop, maybe we can have some longer passes. Mertz has done quite well so far and has taken what is there instead of forcing bad passes.
It’s not scheme or playbook as AR’s best passing was done down the field and anything less than 10 yards was pretty bad. What we are seeing has to do with 11 guys and their caps. The first half offense against Tennessee was a machine. No long passes but still ate up a decent defense. There’s no reason to take chances if high percentage plays are getting the job done. We have another practice game today and I expect Kentucky will test this offense next week.

 

Thank you Graham......we will miss seeing you on the field of play and appreciate all you have - and are doing for the team. Get well soon!

 

So sad - great guy who elevated our program in the face of constant adversity. I wish him the very best going forward

 

This is the original tweet.....check out all the wonderful comments Graham is receiving from fans....some from rival schools as well.....he's really earned respect during his time here!

 

Nice article here from SDS:

O’Gara: Graham Mertz is out for the year, but not before he proved me and so many others wrong

 

Mertz as interim coach!

 

Medical redshirt????

 

Graham seriously outperformed my expectations

He was an outstanding teammate, leader, and rep for our school.

His performance was far better than my expectation. I expected below avg P5 QB play, similar to Wisconsin. He was better than that. Not elite…partially due to his deep ball deficiencies and part due to scheme. But he was more than capable. On an elite team he’d be a good enough QB to do big things in the playoffs.

 

I have nothing but good things to say about Mertz. He has been a pleasant bright spot for the Gators. He was so much better than I thought he would be when he came on board.

 

Young man was heroic. Deserved better.
Played his guts out, couldn't ask for more.
Team guy, locker room guy, Gator guy.

Did all he could. I hope his football career continues in some capacity.

 

You had a lot of back and forth about Mertz before he played. Not unreasonable criticism but fairly adamant he wouldn't perform much better than he did at Wisconsin. It's nice to see your comments as it's just one example of how much he endeared himself to Gator nation. Sucks for him though.

 

Class & respect.

 

I'd hire him in a minute to some staff position after his playing days are over. Smart, knowledgeable, hardworking, vision, character, likeability. A+

 

This is great.