Ex-Wisconsin QB Mertz transferring to Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla.– Former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is transferring to Florida, providing the Gators a knowledgeable starter at a diminished position.Mertz announced

his commitment on social media Wednesday. He is anticipated to register at the Southeastern Conference school in January.A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Mertz left the program after the Badgers employed former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to head its program.He signs up with a Florida group that lost Anthony Richardson to the NFL draft and dismissed backup Jalen Kitna following his arrest on kid porn charges. Third-stringer Jack Miller III began the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State and tossed for 180 lawns and was sacked four times in a 30-3 loss.The Gators signed four-star quarterback prospect Jaden Rashada on Wednesday as a possible starter in 2023 and could

mine the transfer website for more assistance at the critical position, where Florida lost Richardson, Kitna, Emory Jones and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson in a nine-month span.Mertz tossed five touchdown passes to help Wisconsin beat Illinois 45-7 in his first profession start, setting a school single-game record for completion percentage

and connecting the school single-game record for TD tosses.But he fought with consistency the rest of his time with the Badgers. Wisconsin had a different offending coordinator each of his three seasons as a starter.Mertz has actually completed 59.5 %of his career passes for 5,405 yards, with 38 goals and 26 interceptions. He finished 57.3%of his attempts for 2,136 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.