Gators QBs Talk about Spring Practice Process

Going into the 2023 College Football season, the Florida Gators will have to decide on a new starting quarterback. The Gators have three quarterbacks who are competing in the spring for the starting spot. Each quarterback talks about the current team and going through the spring practice process.

Graham Mertz and his impressions after his transfer

Graham Mertz, the transfer from Wisconsin, met with reporters for the first time. He talks about his fresh start after his transfer from Wisconsin and the current state of the team.

He likes the direction that coach Billy Napier is taking the team to. As the quarterback competition grows, Mertz believes that it helps him and Jack Miller push each other to be better. Mertz says he can get help from Miller on some aspects of the playbook. As a result, Mertz says that their work together has made them both better, which will benefit the entire team.

Based on his experience, Napier expects Mertz to provide leadership at the quarterback position for the Gators. From the start, Mertz has been impressed by the speed of the team on both sides of the ball. In particular, he said freshman wide receiver Aidan Mizell stood out with his speed.

Jack Miller’s recovery from injury to spring practice

One returning quarterback for the Gators from last season is Jack Miller III, who started in the bowl game. After sitting behind Anthony Richardson last season, Miller hopes to continue his efforts going into next season. In his talk with reporters, Miller talks about the offense and his recovery from a torn UCL last season.

During his recovery, Miller mentions that his injury was a mental challenge for him throughout the year. He thinks that he has learned a lot from his start in the bowl game, despite it not going the way he envisioned. As a result, he made sure that his timing with all of the receivers is on point during the spring practices.

Miller says that the return of Ricky Pearsall for his senior year was key for him. In addition, Miller mentions a few other wide receivers that have impressed during the practices. He went as far as to say that freshman wideout Andy Jean “is the real deal.”

In his second season at Florida, Miller understands that he will need to apply his knowledge of the offense to defensive opposition. He has been watching a lot of film and working with Mertz every day so far in practice.

Max Brown: Two-Sport Athlete

The redshirt freshman looks to play a bigger role for the football team in this upcoming season. Already, he has a very tough challenge that not only involves football. Brown is also an outfielder for the Gators baseball team. Because he is a two-sport athlete, Brown knows he has to manage his time very well.

Brown says it is an honor to play two sports for a university and credits his teammates and coaches for giving him that opportunity. He understands how big of a task it is, which is why he appreciates being able to do it. Besides his two-sport play, Brown also talks about his improvements and development within the Florida football program.

Brown talks about his athleticism and some of the things that he learned from Richardson last year. In his development, Brown has learned to lead more to pair with his athleticism. Under Richardson, Brown shared the similarities of them making big plays, which was something that he liked learning when they worked together last year.

All three quarterbacks have made progress throughout the offseason and into the spring. Gator fans will get to see the quarterback play in the Orange & Blue Game on April 13.