Florida Gators Quarterback Graham Mertz Drafted Months After Heartbreaking Injury.

It’s been a long road for former Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz. Through six years of college football, back-to-back season-ending injuries and months of gruelling rehab, the UF signal caller always had one goal in mind: to make his way into the NFL.

On Saturday, Mertz’s lifelong dream finally came true, as he had his named called in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans selected Mertz with the No. 197 overall pick, making him the 10th quarterback to come off the board in this year’s draft.

After spending the first four years of his collegiate career at Wisconsin, Mertz transferred to UF prior to the 2023 campaign. He immediately took over under center for the Gators, finishing his inaugural season with 2903 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

The following season, Mertz took on a mentorship role for highly touted freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. The two would go on to split reps early in the 2024 campaign before Mertz suffered a torn ACL against Tennessee on Oct. 12, effectively ending his collegiate career.

With just over six months remaining before the draft at the time, concerns immediately rose as to Mertz’s draft stock and if he would be ready to throw for scouts before April. Nevertheless, Mertz came back out at Florida’s pro day on March 27 – just over five months after his ACL tear – looking as sharp as ever.

The 24-year-old signal caller’s NFL.com scouting report singles out his accuracy and decision-making abilities as his primary strengths. The main areas of concern for Mertz going forward are mostly centered around his ceiling as a pro and his injury history, having already suffered a broken collarbone, concussion and torn ACL in the last 18 months alone.

Even then, the former Florida signal caller has all the makings of a pro-ready quarterback. With his wide range of experience and poise under center, Mertz could end up playing in the NFL – even if it’s as a backup or practice squad candidate – for years to come.