Billy Napier confirmed Monday that senior quarterback Graham Mertz will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Mertz suffered the injury in the third quarter against Tennessee following a touchdown that put the Gators ahead 10-0. While the specifics of injury remain uncertain, what is clear is that he will miss the last six games of the season for the Gators.
Freshman DJ Lagway will step in the starting role against Kentucky on Saturday.
“The week he was the starter, he put on a show,” Napier said Monday. “The guy’s a rookie, but it’s his show.”
Mertz was having one of the best seasons of his career. Through five games he had completed 72 passes in 94 attempts for 791 yards and six touchdowns. His completion percentage of 76.6 percent was not only the best in the conference, but the best in the country. Mertz is out of eligibility, so his college playing days are now done.
