Mertz’s plan involves guiding Lagway, a five-star recruit from Texas who has completed 65.3% of his passes for 765 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. Mertz embraced coach Billy Napier’s plan for them to share playing time this season and has done everything possible to help Lagway grow.

Billy Napier began to deploy his two quarterbacks during a 33-20 loss Sept. 14 at home against Texas A&M. Mertz and Lagway played well together and forced Florida opponents to prepare for two

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz is expected to miss the rest of a season with a knee injury suffered in UF's 23-17 overtime loss to Tennessee, according to 247Sports' Matt Zenitz. The injury ends Mertz's college eligibility with the Gators (3-3) and kicks off the DJ Lagway era in Gainesville.