Graham Mertz
Graham Mertz (born December 6, 2000) is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). A highly touted recruit out of high school in Kansas, Mertz played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2019 to 2022 and the Florida Gators from 2023 to 2024, where he established himself as a starting quarterback with notable efficiency in passing before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in 2024. Drafted by the Texans in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, he enters the league as a rookie seeking to contribute as a backup option while continuing his recovery.[1][2][1] Mertz began his football journey at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, after transferring from Bishop Miege High School following his sophomore year.[3] As a junior in 2017, he led the Mustangs to a Kansas 6A state championship, reaching the final again as a senior in 2018, earning recognition as the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 4 pro-style quarterback nationally by On3. His high school performance, highlighted by strong arm strength and low turnover rates, drew scholarship offers from multiple Power Five programs, ultimately committing to Wisconsin.[4] At the University of Wisconsin, Mertz redshirted in 2019 before stepping into the starting role as a redshirt freshman in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic's schedule disruptions.[5] Over four seasons with the Badgers (2019–2022), he appeared in 34 games, starting 32, and compiled 5,405 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions on 460-of-773 attempts, while adding 8 rushing touchdowns on 125 carries.[2] His tenure included a 19–13 record as a starter, tying for sixth in program history for quarterback starts, and notable performances such as a career-high 299 passing yards and five touchdowns in a 2022 win over Northwestern.[6] Academically, he earned All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and 2022.[5] Following the 2022 season, Mertz transferred to the University of Florida via the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a fresh start under head coach Billy Napier.[1] In two seasons with the Florida Gators (2023–2024), Mertz solidified his role as the primary starter, playing in 16 games and passing for 3,694 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions on 333-of-452 attempts (73.7% completion rate), while rushing for 80 carries, -19 yards, and 5 touchdowns.[2] His 2023 campaign was particularly efficient, leading the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in completion percentage at 72.9% and earning praise for low interception totals in an offense tailored to his strengths.[6] Mertz threw a touchdown pass in 31 of his last 35 career college starts, demonstrating consistency.[6] However, his college career ended prematurely on October 12, 2024, when he tore the ACL in his left knee during an overtime loss to Tennessee, requiring surgery and sidelining him for the remainder of the season.[7] Despite the injury, Mertz remained engaged with the team during rehabilitation, majoring in education sciences.[8] Entering the 2025 NFL Draft as a sixth-year senior, Mertz impressed scouts with his pocket presence and accuracy, leading to his selection by the Houston Texans.[9] At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, he projects as a developmental quarterback with solid mechanics but limited mobility, having posted a career college QBR of 60.6.[9] As of November 2025, following successful ACL recovery, he serves as a backup quarterback for the Texans.[10]Early life
Family background
Graham Mertz was born on December 6, 2000, in Overland Park, Kansas.[11] He is the son of Ron Mertz, a former offensive lineman who played for the University of Minnesota from 1989 to 1992, and Amy Mertz.[12][13] Mertz has two older sisters, Lauren and Mya, both of whom pursued college basketball careers. Lauren played for the Kansas State University women's basketball team, while Mya competed for the Drake University women's basketball team.[13][14] The Mertz family has a strong athletic heritage, with all three siblings achieving Division I status in their respective sports. Ron Mertz's experience as a college football player provided early guidance and encouragement for Graham's development in the sport, fostering a household environment centered on athletic achievement and discipline.[15][16] This familial support exposed Graham to competitive sports from a young age, emphasizing teamwork and perseverance through his parents' and sisters' involvement.[17]High school career
Graham Mertz began his high school football career at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kansas, where he spent his freshman and sophomore years as a backup quarterback.[18][19] Seeking a starting role, Mertz transferred to Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, prior to his junior season in 2017.[20][21] At Blue Valley North, Mertz emerged as a standout performer, leading the Mustangs to the Kansas Class 6A state championship in 2017 during his junior year, where he threw for 3,684 yards and 45 touchdowns.[22][21] In his senior season of 2018, he set a state record with 51 touchdown passes and 3,886 yards, guiding the team to the state championship game as runners-up.[23][24] Over his two seasons at Blue Valley North, Mertz amassed 7,570 passing yards and 96 touchdown passes.[17][25] Mertz's high school performance earned him recognition as a four-star recruit and ESPN's No. 1 pocket passer, ranking him No. 21 overall in the class of 2019; he was also a finalist for the Elite 11 quarterback competition.[17][26] Despite receiving offers from powerhouse programs including Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State, Mertz reaffirmed his commitment to the University of Wisconsin in June 2018, having initially pledged to the Badgers in October 2017.[26][27][28]College career
University of Wisconsin
Mertz redshirted as a true freshman in 2019, appearing in two games for the Wisconsin Badgers. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 73 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, seeing limited mop-up duty in blowout wins against Central Michigan and Kent State.[2][5] As a redshirt freshman in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Mertz earned his first varsity letter and started all seven games for Wisconsin, which played a condensed Big Ten-only schedule. He completed 118 of 193 passes for 1,238 yards, with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, while adding 38 rushing yards and 2 rushing scores on 36 carries.[2][5] In his first career start—a Big Ten opener against Illinois—Mertz set a program record for single-game completion percentage, going 20 of 21 for 248 yards and a school-record-tying 5 touchdown passes in a 45–7 victory.[29] The Badgers finished 4–3, with Mertz helping secure a win over rival Michigan in his conference debut start.[30] Mertz's redshirt sophomore year in 2021 saw him start all 13 games amid high expectations following his 2020 debut, but the season was marked by inconsistency and turnovers as Wisconsin went 9–4. He passed for 1,958 yards on 169 of 284 attempts (59.5% completion), throwing 10 touchdowns against 11 interceptions—leading the Big Ten in picks—while rushing 37 times for -25 yards and 4 scores.[2][5] Despite the struggles, including a rash of early-season interceptions that sparked discussions about a potential quarterback change, Mertz remained the starter and helped the Badgers reach the Duke's Mayo Bowl, where they defeated Wake Forest 42–28.[31] Entering his redshirt junior campaign in 2022, Mertz faced early criticism after lackluster performances in the first four games, amid a 12-game slate where Wisconsin finished 7–6. Mertz completed 164 of 286 passes for 2,136 yards—his career high—with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, plus 2 rushing scores on 50 carries for -40 yards.[2][5] Notable performances included a career-best 299 yards and 5 touchdown passes in a 42–7 rout of Northwestern, as well as 203 yards and 2 scores in a 35–24 upset win over then-No. 9 Purdue. Over four seasons at Wisconsin from 2019 to 2022, Mertz appeared in 34 games, starting 32, and amassed 5,405 passing yards on 460 of 773 attempts (59.5% completion rate) with 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He also rushed 125 times for a net -21 yards and 8 touchdowns, contributing to a 19–13 record as the Badgers' primary signal-caller.[2][32] Following the 2022 regular season and the firing of head coach Paul Chryst, Mertz announced on December 4 that he would enter the NCAA transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, seeking a fresh start after a tenure defined by early promise, inconsistency, and growth under pressure.[32][4]University of Florida
Graham Mertz transferred to the University of Florida from the University of Wisconsin in December 2022 and enrolled in January 2023, seeking a fresh start after inconsistent performances in the Big Ten.[33] Under head coach Billy Napier, Mertz quickly won the starting quarterback job during preseason camp, earning the nod over competitors due to his extensive experience with 32 career starts.[34] He made his Gators debut in the season opener against Utah, throwing for a career-high 333 yards and one touchdown in a 24-11 loss, signaling his adaptation to the faster-paced Southeastern Conference (SEC) environment.[35] In the 2023 season, Mertz started all 11 games for Florida, completing 261 of 358 passes for 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns, and three interceptions, achieving a 72.9% completion rate that ranked among the top in the SEC.[2] His efficiency marked a significant improvement from his Wisconsin tenure, where turnovers had plagued his play, and he demonstrated growth in pocket presence and decision-making under Napier's pro-style offense.[36] Despite these strides, the Gators finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in SEC play, hampered by offensive line issues and defensive struggles, with Mertz enduring frequent pressure that limited explosive plays.[37] A highlight came in a 29-16 upset win over No. 11 Tennessee, where Mertz threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, helping Florida control the game through balanced execution.[38] Mertz returned for a sixth collegiate season in 2024, announced in November 2023, continuing as Florida's primary starter and building on his prior progress with refined mechanics emphasized by Napier. Mertz suffered a concussion in the season opener against Miami on September 1, 2024, missing the next game against Charlotte before returning to start the following four contests. Through five games, he completed 72 of 94 passes (76.6%) for 791 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions, maintaining high accuracy and low turnover rates while integrating better with receivers in the SEC's physical defenses.[39] His performance peaked in a near-upset of No. 8 Tennessee on October 12, where Florida led 3-0 at halftime in a 23-17 overtime loss; Mertz threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham before suffering a non-contact injury in the third quarter.[40] The injury, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee confirmed by MRI, sidelined Mertz for the remainder of the 2024 season and ended his college career, requiring surgery and rehabilitation.[7] Florida turned to freshman DJ Lagway as replacement, but the loss disrupted offensive rhythm amid an already injury-plagued unit, contributing to inconsistencies in the Gators' 4-4 start before Mertz's exit.[41] Over two seasons at Florida (16 games), Mertz threw for 3,694 yards and 26 touchdowns against five interceptions, showcasing redemption through steady leadership and SEC acclimation that bolstered Napier's rebuilding efforts despite team setbacks.[2]College statistics
Mertz's college career spanned 50 games across the University of Wisconsin (2019–2022) and the University of Florida (2023–2024).[2]Passing Statistics
| Season | School | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Wisconsin | 2 | 9 | 10 | 90.0 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 151.3 |
| 2020 | Wisconsin | 7 | 118 | 193 | 61.1 | 1,238 | 9 | 5 | 125.2 |
| 2021 | Wisconsin | 13 | 169 | 284 | 59.5 | 1,958 | 10 | 11 | 121.3 |
| 2022 | Wisconsin | 12 | 164 | 286 | 57.3 | 2,136 | 19 | 10 | 135.0 |
| 2023 | Florida | 11 | 261 | 358 | 72.9 | 2,903 | 20 | 3 | 157.8 |
| 2024 | Florida | 5 | 72 | 94 | 76.6 | 791 | 6 | 2 | 164.1 |
| Career | 50 | 793 | 1,225 | 64.8 | 9,099 | 64 | 31 | 137.5 |
Rushing Statistics
| Season | School | Games | Attempts | Yards | Yards per Attempt | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Wisconsin | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Wisconsin | 7 | 36 | 38 | 1.1 | 2 |
| 2021 | Wisconsin | 13 | 37 | -25 | -0.7 | 4 |
| 2022 | Wisconsin | 12 | 50 | -40 | -0.8 | 2 |
| 2023 | Florida | 11 | 62 | -75 | -1.2 | 4 |
| 2024 | Florida | 5 | 18 | 56 | 3.1 | 1 |
| Career | 50 | 205 | -40 | -0.2 | 13 |