The Florida Gators’ quarterback situation is getting plenty of attention heading into the 2024 season. After a rollercoaster of a year in 2023, all eyes are on Graham Mertz to see if he’ll continue to be the main man under the center. The big question is, can he carry on with the momentum, or will we see a new face stepping up?

Gainesville came with a lot of expectation for Mertz. In 2023, he also began to demonstrate potential achieving a career best of 2,903 passing yards as well as 20 touchdowns. The personnel productivity was astoundingly high; boasting a 72.9% completion rate, one of the best in the nation. But is he the long-term solution for Gainesville? Coach Billy Napier has publicly backed Mertz, saying his decision to return for another year was “the biggest, No. 1 storyline and the biggest decision that was made to affect our team.”  Knowing that the ball is now in Mertz’s court to show why he is entitled to be called the team’s starting quarterback.

Graham Mertz’s 2024: impressive, but will it be enough?

Mertz had a pretty solid year in 2023. He scored records, limited the turnovers effectively, and demonstrated his ability to tame the team during sensitive occasions. But here’s the thing—Mertz played it safe. His game was more about managing risks than taking them. Out of his 358 passing attempts, only 39 were for 20 yards or more, which doesn’t exactly scream “explosive playmaker.”  Though he broke the record for most consecutive passes without an interception, that conservative approach left a lot to be desired when it came to putting up points against tougher defenses.

Now, for 2024, Mertz is aware that he has to up his game. He’s been trying to work on taking more “calculated risks” while in the offseason and wants to have a bit more of a punch. With the Gators facing a tough schedule, they’ll need more than just safe throws to make it through the gauntlet. If Mertz can start connecting on deeper passes and make those big plays, he could not only keep his starting job but also elevate the Gators to a new level.

Will Graham Mertz’s experience outweigh the competition?

Mertz’s experience and leadership are his biggest assets. The guy’s been through the wringer—first at Wisconsin and now at Florida. But there’s also some serious talent waiting in the wings. Freshmen and backup QBs are always hungry to prove themselves, and if Mertz stumbles early, Coach Napier might have to make some tough calls. But there appears to be a good connection between Napier and Mertz to suggest that he may be given a longer leash than a typical quarterback would be. Whether Mertz will remain at the top of the depth chart, however, will depend on his capacity to build on his numbers, especially in terms of generating more big plays.

At the same time, the 2024 season might be the definitive one for Mertz in Florida. He has the ability, the skills, the experience, and most importantly he has the coach’s trust. Now, it’s all about putting it all together on the field. Whether Mertz can lead the Gators to success or if someone else will step up remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride.