Graham Mertz

Graham Mertz is an American college football quarterback for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Graham Mertz
Wisconsin Badgers – No. 5
PositionQuarterback
ClassFreshman
Career history
CollegeWisconsin (2019–present)
High schoolBlue Valley North High School
(Overland Park, KS)
Personal information
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight216 lb (98 kg)

Early life

Mertz's first two years of high school were spent at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kansas where he backed up all-state quarterback Carter Putz.[1] Before his junior year, Mertz transferred to Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas.[1] He led Blue Valley North to a Class 6A state championship as a junior, and to state runner-up as a senior. In his senior year he completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,886 yards and a state-record 51 touchdowns.[2] He was a finalist for the Elite 11 quarterback competition in 2018,[3] and was named Gatorade Kansas Football Player of the Year.[4] Graham was invited to the All-American Bowl after his senior season, where he set a bowl record with five touchdown passes and was named game MVP.[5]

Mertz was rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN, 247Sports.com, and Rivals.com.[6][7][8] ESPN rated him as the best pocket passer in the class of 2019 and 21st highest rated recruit overall.[8] In the 247Sports Composite, Mertz was rated as the third-highest rated pro-style quarterback, the highest rated Kansas recruit, and 65th highest rated recruit overall.[6]

Mertz committed to play football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on October 9, 2017.[9]

College career

Three-year Wisconsin starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook announced that he would be transferring to Florida State for the 2019 season, leaving the starting role open for competition between Mertz and junior Jack Coan.[10][11] ESPN described Mertz as Wisconsin's "most hyped QB since Russell Wilson."[1] Mertz ultimately lost the starting job to Coan, and redshirted his true freshman season after appearing in two games.[12]

Statistics

As of December 18, 2019:[13]

PassingRushing
YearTeamGamesCompAttYdsTDINTRateAttYdsAvgTD
2019Wisconsin2910730090.0%263.00
Career2910730090.0%263.00

Personal life

Graham's father, Ron Mertz, played football as an offensive lineman at Minnesota from 1989–92.[2][1] Graham has two sisters that played college basketball: Lauren, at Kansas State, and Mya, at Drake.[1]

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References
  1. Rittenberg, Adam (June 4, 2019). "Graham Mertz is Wisconsin's most-hyped QB since Russell Wilson". ESPN.com.
  2. "Graham Mertz". UWBadgers.com. University of Wisconsin. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  3. Stampini, Luke (July 3, 2018). "247Sports' final ranking of the Elite 11 QBs". 247Sports.com.
  4. "Blue Valley North High School Student-Athlete Named Gatorade Kansas Boys Football Player of the Year" (PDF). Gatorade. December 6, 2018.
  5. Kocorowski, Jack (January 6, 2019). "Graham Mertz breaks a record, wins MVP honors at 2019 All-American Bowl". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Vox Media.
  6. "Graham Mertz, Blue Valley North, Pro-Style Quarterback". 247Sports.com. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  7. "Graham Mertz, 2019 Pro-style quarterback". Rivals.com. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  8. "Graham Mertz – Football Recruiting". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  9. Galloway, Jason (October 9, 2017). "Badgers football: Quarterback Graham Mertz commits for 2019". Madison.com.
  10. Fornelli, Tom (February 27, 2019). "Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook transferring from Badgers football program". CBS Sports.
  11. "Graham Mertz already creating buzz for Badgers". Fox Sports. Associated Press. April 25, 2019.
  12. Polzin, Jim (September 8, 2019). "Badgers freshman QB Graham Mertz says he'll likely redshirt". Madison.com.
  13. "Graham Mertz College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
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