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GAINESVILLE — Quarterback Graham Mertz was one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits when he signed with Wisconsin, but a longshot to get drafted by the time he left Florida.
The Houston Texans decided to give the 24-year-old an opportunity to prove himself, selecting him during the sixth round of the NFL draft with the No. 197 overall pick.
After UF failed to produce a draft pick during the first three rounds for the first time since 2012 and just the third instance since 1990 (’92, ’93), Mertz was among seven Gators to have their name called during the draft’s third day (Rounds 4-7).
The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Mertz was the 10th quarterback selected among 13 drafted overall, going ahead of Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, who led College Football Playoff teams. Also selected in the sixth round were Ohio State’s Will Howard and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, who squared off in the national title game won by Howard’s Buckeyes.
Mertz spent six years at the collegiate level and started 48 starts, allowing him to acquire experience and hone his leadership skills while also improving accuracy and decision-making he struggled with at Wisconsin.
The Kansas native arrived at UF after he transferred following the 2022 season to culminate an inconsistent career in Madison. Mertz threw 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions while completing just under 60% of his passes for the Badgers.
But Mertz would set program records at Florida for completion percentage in a season (72.9) and consecutive passes without an interception (239) while throwing 20 touchdowns and just 3 picks before he suffered a broken collarbone during a narrow loss at Missouri to end his season.
Mertz, though, failed to build on his breakout 2023 season, suffering a concussion during a season-opening 41-17 loss at Miami. During an overtime loss Oct. 11 at Tennessee, he tore the ACL in his left knee to end his college career.
Less than six months after the injury, Mertz performed at the Gators Pro Day March 27. His return was the final time at Florida Mertz showcased the toughness he displayed repeatedly during a 31-sack 2023 season or in his final game at Tennessee, where he threw a touchdown on the play after he injured his knee.
The Texans will now give Mertz an opportunity to compete for the role of backup to rising star CJ Stroud. Former Stanford quarterback Davis Mills was his backup in 2023.
NFL teams also drafted six of Mertz’s former Florida teammates and signed others as free agents.
Receiver Chimere Dike, who played with Mertz at Wisconsin and in 2024 at Florida, was the first player selected on Day 3. The Tennessee Titans drafted him No. 103 overall, making him the 14th receiver chosen after he led UF with 42 catches, including a team-high 18 of at least 20 yards. The 6-foot-1 ½, 195-pound Wisconsin native ran a 40 time of 4.34 seconds at the scouting combine.
Former 5-star recruit Jason Marshall Jr. will return to his hometown of Miami to play with the Dolphins, who chose him with the No. 150 pick. Ten selections earlier the Carolina Panthers selected defensive tackle Cam Jackson.
At No. 152, the Dallas Cowboys selected three-year starting linebacker Shemar James, who left school a year early. Veteran Jeremy Crawshaw, a member of UF’s 2020 class, will join the Denver Broncos as the only punter drafted (sixth round, No. 216 overall). The native of Australia averaged a school-record 46.4 yards for his five-year career.
Defensive tackle Trikweze Bridges was the penultimate pick of the draft, going No. 256 to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Oregon transfer led UF with 70 tackles after he stepped in at safety because of injuries and became one of the defense’s most consistent performers.
Several Gators were undrafted.
The Tennessee Titans signed offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson as a free agent. He started 47 college games, including 35 at San Diego State before he transferred in 2024.
Mammoth nose tackle Des Watson (6-5, 464) signed as an undrafted rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing the Plant City native to remain close to home.
Receiver Elijhah Badger will join the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of three of the past six Super Bowls, as a undrafted free agent. After leading the Gators with 798 receiving yards and 4 scores on 39 catches, the former Arizona State transfer hopes to catch passes from superstar Patrick Mahomes.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
The Houston Texans decided to give the 24-year-old an opportunity to prove himself, selecting him during the sixth round of the NFL draft with the No. 197 overall pick.
After UF failed to produce a draft pick during the first three rounds for the first time since 2012 and just the third instance since 1990 (’92, ’93), Mertz was among seven Gators to have their name called during the draft’s third day (Rounds 4-7).
The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Mertz was the 10th quarterback selected among 13 drafted overall, going ahead of Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, who led College Football Playoff teams. Also selected in the sixth round were Ohio State’s Will Howard and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, who squared off in the national title game won by Howard’s Buckeyes.
Mertz spent six years at the collegiate level and started 48 starts, allowing him to acquire experience and hone his leadership skills while also improving accuracy and decision-making he struggled with at Wisconsin.
The Kansas native arrived at UF after he transferred following the 2022 season to culminate an inconsistent career in Madison. Mertz threw 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions while completing just under 60% of his passes for the Badgers.
But Mertz would set program records at Florida for completion percentage in a season (72.9) and consecutive passes without an interception (239) while throwing 20 touchdowns and just 3 picks before he suffered a broken collarbone during a narrow loss at Missouri to end his season.
Mertz, though, failed to build on his breakout 2023 season, suffering a concussion during a season-opening 41-17 loss at Miami. During an overtime loss Oct. 11 at Tennessee, he tore the ACL in his left knee to end his college career.
Less than six months after the injury, Mertz performed at the Gators Pro Day March 27. His return was the final time at Florida Mertz showcased the toughness he displayed repeatedly during a 31-sack 2023 season or in his final game at Tennessee, where he threw a touchdown on the play after he injured his knee.
The Texans will now give Mertz an opportunity to compete for the role of backup to rising star CJ Stroud. Former Stanford quarterback Davis Mills was his backup in 2023.
NFL teams also drafted six of Mertz’s former Florida teammates and signed others as free agents.
Receiver Chimere Dike, who played with Mertz at Wisconsin and in 2024 at Florida, was the first player selected on Day 3. The Tennessee Titans drafted him No. 103 overall, making him the 14th receiver chosen after he led UF with 42 catches, including a team-high 18 of at least 20 yards. The 6-foot-1 ½, 195-pound Wisconsin native ran a 40 time of 4.34 seconds at the scouting combine.
Former 5-star recruit Jason Marshall Jr. will return to his hometown of Miami to play with the Dolphins, who chose him with the No. 150 pick. Ten selections earlier the Carolina Panthers selected defensive tackle Cam Jackson.
At No. 152, the Dallas Cowboys selected three-year starting linebacker Shemar James, who left school a year early. Veteran Jeremy Crawshaw, a member of UF’s 2020 class, will join the Denver Broncos as the only punter drafted (sixth round, No. 216 overall). The native of Australia averaged a school-record 46.4 yards for his five-year career.
Defensive tackle Trikweze Bridges was the penultimate pick of the draft, going No. 256 to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Oregon transfer led UF with 70 tackles after he stepped in at safety because of injuries and became one of the defense’s most consistent performers.
Several Gators were undrafted.
The Tennessee Titans signed offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson as a free agent. He started 47 college games, including 35 at San Diego State before he transferred in 2024.
Mammoth nose tackle Des Watson (6-5, 464) signed as an undrafted rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing the Plant City native to remain close to home.
Receiver Elijhah Badger will join the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of three of the past six Super Bowls, as a undrafted free agent. After leading the Gators with 798 receiving yards and 4 scores on 39 catches, the former Arizona State transfer hopes to catch passes from superstar Patrick Mahomes.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
