The Florida Gators are coming off a 5-7 season, and head coach Billy Napier is 11-14 by way of two seasons. Though the outcomes have not been inspiring, super-super senior quarterback Graham Mertz feels change could possibly be proper across the nook for the Gators.
“I believe the Gator followers are gonna like what they see,” Mertz not too long ago mentioned on the Manning Passing Academy (h/t On3). “I imply, I believe we’ve bought depth. Added a bunch of latest guys on either side of the ball. Skilled guys. However, throughout the board, the quantity of depth we now have, it’s completely different than final yr.”
Depth is actually key, particularly in a convention just like the SEC. Bear in mind, Texas and Oklahoma have joined the already-stacked convention, and Florida’s 2024 schedule does function the Longhorns in early November.
In reality, Florida’s schedule seems to be to be fairly the gauntlet with Miami in Week 1, Texas A&M in Week 3 and away video games at Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas and Florida State. The Gators additionally play Kirby Sensible and the always-dangerous Georgia Bulldogs in “The World’s Largest Outside Cocktail Get together” on Nov. 2.
That is a tricky schedule, and solely half of it was talked about. Mertz does not appear involved, although.
“I’m at all times optimistic about each season however I believe we’ve bought a particular group,” he mentioned.
Final season was Mertz’s first at Florida after he spent 4 at Wisconsin. He took a redshirt yr in 2019 and bought an additional yr in 2020 due to the pandemic, so he heads into the 2024 season with 5 years of school soccer expertise already underneath his belt.
Final season, he threw for two,903 yards and 20 touchdowns with simply three interceptions. He is anticipated to be the most effective quarterbacks within the nation this season, so it should be fascinating to see if the Gators can again up his confidence.