A new Mertz remains optimistic about the NFL career according to his “Gatormade” entrance

Gaineville, Florida to his career arch, includes many markers who are waiting for a top-class quarterback that is waiting to hear his name in the NFL design.

• Graham Mertz It was once a valuable recruit that was followed by numerous main programs.
• Mertz signed with Wisconsin and was the first newcomer to start a season opener for the Badgers for 42 years. He replied to the call by threw five touchdowns.
• He started every game for three seasons in a row and was looking for a new beginning in Florida after changing coaches.
• Mertz won the start job at UF, became a team captain and immediately won his teammates with his modest personality, his work morality and his presence of the changing room.

“Graham is one of my favorite players who trains in my 20 -year -old trainers”, “Gator’s head coach” Billy Napier said recently at the UF’s Pro Day. “The room lights up when the guy comes in.”

The 24-year-old Mertz’s college career unexpectedly ended in several ways.

Mertz had such an impact on the Gator that he was called the 2024 GatorMade Danny Wuerffel Man of the Year, the most different honor of the program. Florida fans understand that they have to be something special to acquire an award with the name Wuerffels. The award honors the player who represents the program in a way that shows the highest standards, be it in the Huddle or on a zero excursion to play with seniors Bingo.

 

The 2024 #Gatorade X @Dannywuerffel Man of the year is … @Grahammerertz5! 🐊 pic.twitter.com/f48vcixq50

– Florida Gators Football (@Gatorsfb) December 31, 2024

Mertz was this type in Wisconsin and in the last two seasons at UF, but not how he imagined at the beginning of the 2024 season. Mertz broke the best season of his career-Mertz-Mertz started 2.903 yards and 20 touchdowns and attributed the Southeasters Conference in the final percentage (72.9%) in 2023 to Mertz returned to a final season of authorization to try to lead the GATER to a winning season and to improve his design.

The plan was released into Tennessee at an October loss when Mertz suffered one season at the end of his left knee. He remained invested in the team by teaching newcomers quartersback DJ Lagway and attack rehab.

“That’s why I came back. I wanted to win in any way in any way,” said Mertz on Pro -Day. “So, for me when I was injured, nothing changed. I still had to prepare. I still had to help DJ, help the team, lead the team. You want to be out there and you can say that this is frustrating, but a job still had to be done.”

When the season started eight months ago, the thought was that Mertz heard his name at the NFL design this week. The sound has shifted when Mertz continued to work back from the knee injury. He performed in front of more than 70 NFL employees during the Pro Day without any problems, but the controlled environment differs greatly from an NFL game.

Nevertheless, Mertz is confident that he will find a place at the next level.

“I played a lot of ball. I have had a lot of experience in college,” said Mertz. “I obviously come from an ACL, so I know that it will take a team doctor before I can get out and start playing.” But my goal is to be ready for Minicamp. My sales argument is that I was a team captain four times in college. It is difficult to say.

“I have had a lot of experience and learned from everyone, and I know how to lead men. Point, empty, time, that’s how I go. I learned every step on the way through my journey.”

The former Gator Quarterback Shane Matthews, a two-time second player of the year, who was naughty, spent 14 seasons in the NFL mainly as a backup. Matthews closely observed Mertz in the last two seasons as an analyst for the Gator Radio Network.

In the eyes of Matthews there is no question that Mertz can have a career in the NFL.

“He has a really good football -iq. He understands crimes,” said Matthews. “Whether he is moved in or not, he will have the opportunity to go to the camp. I think he can be his understanding of crimes because of his work morality, the teammate, a backup or a third man in this league.

“I took 14 years and it is not because of my skills. It is because I could learn a game book in 15 to 20 minutes. I think Graham is a guy who can do the same.”

With quarterbacks Cam Ward, Shedur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe, who go the most in the design, Mertz is considered a potential pimple or priority-free agent. In conversations with league trainers and scouts, the NFL network analyst Tom Pelissaro Mertz is available as 14th best quarterback. Mertz ‘intangible values ​​make him more attractive according to Pelissero.

Whatever happens in the design, Mertz left Florida with a new view of his career and his life.

He was successful and dealt with adversities. He won and lost. Above all, he learned his most important role. All of these NIL community obligations and Gatormade excursions led to discovery.

“I learned that my true one Why serves the people around me and something that clicked larger than me, “said Mertz.” I learned that and lived here. It is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever had in my life. “

As Mertz said it, you know that he meant it.