Florida’s redshirt senior star suffered a torn ACL in Saturday’s overtime loss to Tennessee, ending his season and pushing freshman DJ Lagway into the starting role. Mertz, who transferred from Wisconsin in 2023 after three seasons as a starter, will undergo surgery next week. With Mertz sidelined, Aidan Warner, a redshirt freshman and Yale transfer, becomes Lagway’s backup. Despite lacking the mobility of Lagway or previous starter Anthony Richardson, Mertz was an efficient passer, completing 74% of his throws and throwing just five interceptions in 16 games at Florida. He left behind a 7-9 record for the Gators and a legacy marked by his steadiness in challenging times.
Coach Billy Napier praised Mertz for his leadership and work ethic, expressing gratitude for his impact on the team. Now, the focus shifts to Lagway, a five-star recruit from Texas who has already shown promise, setting a UF freshman record with 456 passing yards in a win over Samford earlier in the season. Despite his potential, Lagway’s rookie inconsistencies have been evident, including an interception against Tennessee that set up a tying field goal for the Volunteers. However, he also showcased his talent by throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to force overtime.
Napier is optimistic about Lagway’s readiness, noting that his experience this season will benefit him as he takes on the starting role. Florida faces a challenging stretch of games, beginning with Kentucky at home, followed by a matchup with No. 5 Georgia, a road game against top-ranked Texas, and a home contest against No. 8 LSU. Napier expressed confidence in Lagway’s ability to step up in high-pressure situations, emphasizing that the young quarterback can handle all the complexities of the offense.
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