Eleven days after Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his knee versus Tennessee on Oct. 12, the Florida Gators’ senior quarterback underwent surgery. This week, receiver Chimere Dike, his teammate and close friend, gave an update on Mertz.
“Graham is doing well,” Dyke said. “I was able to spend a lot of time with him on Sunday. I think the way he handles it is amazing. He handles it better than I do. His personality is something I’m really proud of as his friend. I think when you’re given a challenge, you have Two ways to do it. You can scowl, or you can attack him and grow from him. He’s definitely doing the latter. I’m excited to see what kind of success he has in the future.
Dyke and Mertz have been friends for some time. Before arriving at Florida (Mertz in 2023 and Dyke in 2024), they were teammates at Wisconsin.
Mertz led the SEC last year in completion percentage (72.9%) and fewest interceptions (3) in 202 while setting career highs for passing yards (2,903), passing touchdowns (20), completions (261) and attempts ( 358). A broken collarbone ended his 2023 season in the SEC final before the FSU playoff.
Graham Mertz was having a solid season before his injury
This season, Mertz raised his quarterback rating (164.1) and completion percentage (76.6%), including the third-highest single-game mark in school history (90.5%) against Mississippi State when he was 19 of 21 for 201 yards and three TDs. Mertz’s final play as a Gator was a touchdown pass to put his team up 10-0 in the second half against the Vols.
“I hope I can be there for him during this time,” Dyke said. “I think we’re very close. We can talk about things that maybe we can’t talk about with other people. When he needs me, I want to be someone who’s there for him. He’s done a great job of being in the locker room and being the guy that DJ can count on ( Lagway, and he’s a guy that the rest of our team can count on because he’s obviously a big part and a great leader for our team.”
Mertz hopes to be available for Florida’s pro day next spring.
“That would be amazing,” Dyke said. “A guy that I’ve been through all this experience with, ups and downs, to be able to come out at pro day and obviously we have a lot of things to take care of before that, but that’s going to be a really great experience. Hopefully he’ll be able to come back by then. It’ll be a great experience.” That is a really special day.”
