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After suffering a torn ACL in October of last year, Florida quarterback Graham Mertz was back on Thursday during Florida’s Pro Day. Mertz was one of 18 Gators who displayed their skillset for NFL scouts.
Mertz, 24, did not participate in the athletic drills due to his injury, but was able to throw short, medium and deep passes to receivers inside the team’s indoor practice facility.
Some really good throws from Graham Mertz today. Looked really comfortable moving around.
We talked to him in October, just 48 hours after he tore his ACL and he said he would be back to throw at Pro Day. Thought that was an aggressive timeline. Have learned not to doubt… pic.twitter.com/hwVLTaAz1y
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) March 27, 2025
This was a welcome reunion, as he threw to his wide receivers from this past season: Elijah Badger, Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Hayden Hansen and one who shares a very special bond, Chimere Dike.
https://twitter.com/chimdk11/status/1863094020412481634
The quarterback and receiver duo first teamed up at Wisconsin in 2020 before reuniting as Gators in Gainesville in 2024.
“To be able to finish it out together was really special,” Mertz said. “I’m so grateful for that. We never thought we would be down in Florida doing our Pro Day, but it’s cool that it worked out that way.”
Dike also raised his stock at the NFL Combine last month with a blistering 4.34 in the 40-yard dash.
Mertz’s Last Season As A Gator
Mertz started five games after sitting out Week 2 due to a concussion. His season came to an end following an ACL injury against Tennessee. He finished 72-of-94 for 791 yards (76.6%), with six touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions. Mertz has thrown a touchdown in 31 of his last 35 career starts, including 16 of 17 at Florida. He has accumulated 77 total career touchdowns (64 passing, 13 rushing).
