Former Wisconsin Football Quarterback Named Starter in SEC Country

Things didn’t go according to plan for former Wisconsin football quarterback Graham Mertz during his time in Madison, but that doesn’t mean we can’t wish him well in his next endeavor — he was a class act, after all.

Mertz made headlines in the offseason when he entered the transfer portal before the Guaranteed Rate Bowl game in search of a clean slate. He quickly landed on his feet, committing to the Florida Gators.

With Florida’s previous starting QB, Anthony Richardson, having left early for the NFL draft, there was plenty of opportunity for Mertz to re-establish himself as a quality Power 5 starter.

After enrolling early in the spring and performing well during fall camp, the Kansas native has officially been named the starting quarterback for the Gators heading into the opener by head coach Billy Napier.

Remembering Graham Mertz’s Wisconsin Football Career 

Graham Mertz was a massive recruiting win for Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin football team. It seemed as though the Badgers finally had the quarterback it needed to get them over the proverbial hump.

After serving as a backup to Jack Coan, Mertz burst onto the college football scene in his first start against the Illinois Fighting Illini. He completed 20-of-21 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns, setting a school record for completion percentage in a single game.

However, what followed that start wasn’t the superstar Wisconsin fans hoped for. Much of Mertz’s career was a roller coaster of inconsistencies where he’d show flashes of brilliance, showcasing his arm strength, accuracy, and poise in the pocket — followed by head-scratching decision-making and lack of ball security.

Overall, Mertz started 32 games for the Wisconsin football program, completing 460-of-773 passes for 5,405 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions. He also recorded eight rushing touchdowns as well.

For the redshirt junior, donning the orange and blue of the Florida Gators represents an opportunity for a fresh start. The change of scenery and the chance to compete in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC) offer Mertz the platform to showcase his skills on a national stage.

I hope he balls out and reaches his full potential because he did everything the right way — it just didn’t come to fruition during his time with the Badgers.

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