When Will Billy Napier Pick Florida's Starting QB?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Decisions, decisions. 

Billy Napier will make a big one in the coming weeks, tasked with selecting a starting quarterback entering his second season in charge of the Florida Gators. 

Unlike his first offseason as head coach when the obvious choice was always Anthony Richardson, Napier has evaluated the trio of redshirt junior Graham Mertz, redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III and redshirt freshman Max Brown since the 2023 offseason workout program began in January.

With players scheduled to report for fall training camp on July 30, Napier envisions the winner of Florida's quarterback competition emerging sooner rather than later. 

“I think it’ll happen relatively quick," Napier admitted to reporters on Wednesday at SEC Media Days, before suggesting, "but we’re not going to make a decision until we’re ready to do that.”

Napier, in May, preached the importance of one passer winning over the coaching staff and team with their presence as a leader. 

The ability to command the respect of those around them remains at the forefront of the evaluation, but Napier expanded on what he will look for from Florida's eventual QB1 when the Gators re-take the practice field.

“I think you’ve gotta keep it simple from a football standpoint," Napier said. "You want to execute the plan. Move the team. Score points. 

"Really, a quarterback is about so much more. 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."

Mertz, formerly a three-year starter for Wisconsin, and Miller, a 2022 Ohio State transfer and seasoned backup who started in place of Richardson for Florida's 2022 Las Vegas Bowl appearance, split first-team reps from day one of spring camp through the final, open scrimmage on April 13.

Experience seemingly provides Mertz and Miller an advantage over the younger Brown, who played baseball for UF during the spring in addition to football responsibilities. But Napier made note of the stamp Brown has left on the competition in an elevated role compared to his redshirt season.

"Really pleased with what Graham brings to our team. When you think about over 2,000 snaps, 32 starts, he’s caused others to respond," Napier noted. "Jack has responded and is having a great offseason. Max, I’ve really been pleased with the summer he’s had. He’s made an impression on our staff and the other players."

Of the two more proven commodities, Mertz's three-year tenure as the Badgers' starting quarterback makes it easy to project he will earn the same role with the Gators.

His know-how, in and of itself, is a leadership quality, one that Napier has praised Mertz for since his January arrival in Gainesville. Assistant coaches and teammates have similarly commended Mertz for his preparation and approach to the offseason.

"I think he's doing exactly what you would want a veteran quarterback to do," Napier said about Mertz. "This is like acquiring a free agent that has played multiple years as a starter." 

Mertz produced a 59.5 completion percentage, 5,405 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions during his time at Wisconsin.

Still, Mertz will need to continue to prove himself on the practice field in order to secure the right to start for a new school, as Miller and Brown have their eyes on the same prize.

"At some point, we’ll start giving the majority of the reps to the first-team guy," Napier said.

That point could be quickly following the Gators' first intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 10, Napier appeared to hint. 

"We scrimmage I think two times in training camp. We'll get through that first scrimmage, we’ll evaluate and go through that first set of installation," Napier explained. "Put the ball down and play in that first scrimmage."