Gators’ Mertz has actually torn ACL, ending college profession

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterOct 14, 2024, 12:57 PM ET

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  • College football press reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz will have surgical treatment and remain the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee throughout Saturday’s overtime loss to Tennessee, coach Billy Napier revealed Monday.

“It’s only ideal that I state just how much I appreciate what he’s given the team,” Napier said.It was an unbearable method for Mertz, a sixth-year senior, to end his college career. It was a noncontact injury that occurred after he threw a 13-yard goal pass to Arlis Boardingham midway through the third quarter to put Florida ahead 10-0.

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As Mertz was backing up after making the throw, his leg appeared to land awkwardly on the grass. He was tended to by trainers, limped off the field and knocked his helmet to the ground when he reached the sideline. Mertz saw the fourth quarter on crutches and wearing a brace on his knee.With Mertz

sidelined, Florida will turn to true freshman DJ Lagway full time at quarterback.Mertz sent a message

on social media to Florida fans and thanked them for”2 unbelievable years in Gainesville.” During his recovery, he promised to” stay a part of the program and do whatever I can in conference room and from the sideline to help my teammates win.” Thank you, Gator Nation pic.twitter.com/8pKEbwaos6!.?.!— Graham Mertz(@GrahamMertz5)October 14, 2024 Mertz was likewise hurt to

end last season when he fractured his collarbone in the next-to-last game against Missouri. He chose to return for the

2024 season instead of entering the NFL draft.He remained a Week 2 win this season over Samford after sustaining a concussion in the season-opening loss to Miami. Mertz began his profession at Wisconsin and was a three-year starter for the Badgers before moving to Florida.In 5 games this season, Mertz passed for 6 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. He leads the country with a 76.6 conclusion portion and tossed a touchdown pass in 15 of his 16 career starts at Florida.Lagway had been turning with Mertz for much of this season and started for the hurt Mertz in Week 2 and passed for 456 backyards. In the loss to Tennessee, Lagway tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike on third-and-19 in the last seconds

to require overtime.Lagway was ESPN’s top-rated quarterback nationally in the 2024 signing class and the No. 8 possibility overall.The Gators(3-3, 1-2 SEC)return home to deal with Kentucky on Saturday. Then they play 4 straight games versus teams ranked in the leading 20 in the AP survey, including 3 teams in the leading 8( No. 5 Georgia, No.

1 Texas and No. 8 LSU ).