It’s no secret that the Wisconsin Badgers may have gotten a swing and a miss when former quarterback Graham Mertz transferred out of the program to the Florida Gators. Under Mertz, the Gators have lifted themselves to a 5-2 record overall and a 3-1 conference record, rivaling the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC East. His impressive play has them poised for a couple of years of success under center. He’s even got the fewest turnover-worthy plays this season among quarterbacks, according to PFF.
Graham Mertz has only ONE turnover worthy play this season
Fewest among all Quarterbacks👀 pic.twitter.com/sqVEuHir8E
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 19, 2023
The Stats for the Former Wisconsin Badgers QB
Graham Mertz has put together a solid season in his first year away from the Wisconsin Badgers. After transferring in the Spring of 2023, he’s shown exactly why the Wisconsin Badgers should have had a little bit more faith in the junior.
He’s gone 170 for 223 in passing attempts, good for 76.23% completion, and that puts him as the top QB in the SEC and third in the nation. His ability to move the ball through the air may have helped bring along the Air Raid offense that the Head Coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, Luke Fickell, wants to instill.
Across those 170 completions, he’s had 1897 yards through the air, good for fourth in the SEC and 17th in the nation. He’s recorded only two interceptions, putting him in plenty of good company at the top of the list of QBs.
Social Media Reacts to Graham Mertz Having One Turnover Worthy Play
There’s plenty of commentary on the former Wisconsin Badgers QB having the fewest turnover-worthy plays in college football. Some of it is direct shots fired at the Wisconsin Badgers for choosing to head in a different direction, and others are praising Mertz for his impressive play. Here’s a look at some of the reactions on social media:
There needs to be a study done on QB success upon leaving Wisconsin
— Kee🇪🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸 (@KeeshawnKaters) October 19, 2023
So Paul Chryst was the problem. Got it
— The Rational Football League Show (@TheRFLShow) October 19, 2023
He’s got that gator in him that’s what I would tell ya
— Travis (@everett_tw) October 19, 2023
Proving again that QBs at Wisconsin are good….. just not at Wisconsin 🤣
— Paul Dorn (@PaulDorn17) October 19, 2023
Couldn’t be happier for the kid…. first time I’ve ever cheered for the Gators tbh.
— Big Cheese Sports (@BigCheese_IESR) October 19, 2023
Badger here rooting for Mertz. He gave it all at Wisconsin and it just didn’t work out… It happens, but he showed guts!
— Andreas Egholm Larsen (@LarsenEgholm) October 19, 2023
WHAT
— #1 waffle muncher (@Natedoggyyyyyyy) October 19, 2023
I have to give my respect to Graham Mertz. He proved me wrong. Napier saw it in him. I did not expect this turn around after seeing him at Wisconsin. Definitely good things in store for the Gators.
— QBArchitect (@QB1Architect) October 19, 2023
Some fans were doubting the validity of the statistic, but this stat does have to do with plays where the quarterback protects the ball and shouldn’t give up the turnover based on the defense. In simple terms, it’s the quarterback controlling what he can control and where the ball goes while making sound decisions on the field.
Other fans criticized Graham Mertz and took to the stance that he hasn’t played a decent defense and hasn’t really stood against any tests this season.
He’s also played nobody all year outside if utah
— Chugs (@ChugDeezNutz) October 19, 2023
Has he even played a top 40 defense this year?
— Trey (@DickDorsey) October 19, 2023
Florida has one good win over Tennessee (because UT pees their pants every time they play the Gators) and got smashed by Utah & Kentucky.
Nobody cares about Mertz stats vs. McNeese, Charlotte, or Vandy
— Brandon Quinlan (@BQ_Sports) October 19, 2023
1 Comment
I saw Mertz in person at the Utah game. Although he was more effective than he was for the Badgers last year, he was a game manager at best. Most of their offense went through their RB Etienne, and the passes were mostly screen plays. And they could move the ball ok but struggled to score (sound familiar?). Even though he’s improved vs. last year, the Badgers aren’t missing out.