The battle for QB1 status continues in Gainesville, as Florida head coach Billy Napier has yet to determine which quarterback will take the reigns to the Gators' offense in 2023.
With fall training camp commencing on Monday morning, Napier intends to choose one of redshirt junior Graham Mertz and redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III, both formerly of other programs, to lead the team sooner rather than later.
But unlike a year ago when the obvious pick was Anthony Richardson, the answer did not become clear during UF's spring practices and summer workouts, leaving outsiders guessing who Napier's preference will be just weeks before the season begins.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg offered his perspective regarding Florida's quarterback competition before the first whistle of the fall was blown:
After losing Richardson, Florida is deciding between two Big Ten transfers in Mertz (Wisconsin) and Miller (Ohio State). The key for coach Billy Napier and his staff is to maximize Mertz's talent while reducing his mistakes, which never consistently happened at Wisconsin.
Mertz was Wisconsin's most decorated quarterback recruit ever -- ESPN's No. 21 overall in the 2019 class -- and started 32 games, finishing with 5,405 pass yards, 38 touchdowns, 26 interceptions and only a 59.5% career completion rate. He never became the difference-maker Wisconsin had hoped, and was emblematic of the team's mini decline that led to coach Paul Chryst's ouster. He gets another chance in Gainesville but must hold off Miller, who started for Florida in its Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State. Miller appeared in seven games in two seasons for Ohio State before transferring.
Also involved in the competition is redshirt freshman Max Brown, who has impressed coaches during the offseason and could fight for the primary backup role in the coming weeks.
What is Napier looking for from the contestants as they aim to prove themselves in fall practice?
“I think you’ve gotta keep it simple from a football standpoint," Napier told reporters at SEC Media Days on July 19. "You want to execute the plan. Move the team. Score points."
However, the most important aspect of the battle — in the eyes of Napier — will be identifying the passer who best commands the respect of those around him.
"Really, a quarterback is about so much more," Napier explained. "Their ability to influence the team. There’s a leadership component, a knowledge component, a communication component. Ultimately, one of these guys is going to win over the staff and win over the team."
Of the two contenders, Mertz has the benefit of experience on his side when it comes to these qualifications. Therefore, it might not come as a surprise that Rittenberg's prediction is as follows:
Prediction: Mertz. Even though Miller has been at Florida longer, Mertz has a significant edge in meaningful field time. He has also impressed Napier, who at SEC media days lauded Mertz's experience and described him as "fanatical about his preparation." Mertz has had issues translating his approach to games, but Florida at least needs to see what it has before giving Miller a chance.
Whichever quarterback Napier chooses, their first opportunity to lead the Gators to victory will come on Aug. 31, when Florida travels to Utah for its 2023 season opener.
More must-reads: