Flashback to October 1, 2022: The University of Wisconsin hosts the University of Illinois. The Badgers scored the first points of the game on a pass from then-quarterback Graham Mertz. Over the next 48 minutes and 15 seconds, the Badgers’ entire offense collapses. You can see the sideline ignoring coaches and players and appearing generally disinterested.
Despite this, Mertz continues to play hard. However, you can hear the boos echoing through Camp Randall when he takes the field. Somehow, the Badgers’ fan base, from alumni to undergraduates, has decided to blame Graham Mertz for their failure as a program. Mertz finished the game with 206 yards passing, and a Wisconsin team known for its running game rushed for two yards.
The next day, the Badgers relieved Paul Chryst of his position as head coach. Much of the anger, however, was directed at Mertz.
The Badgers were 4-3 after the firing, but Graham Mertz knew he had to go. A year later, wide receiver Chimere Dike felt the same way. At a press conference, Mertz talked about what Florida means to him after a solid first year in which he set career highs in yardage, completion percentage and touchdowns.
Welcome Home
After leaving Madison, Mertz needed a new home. Since he was still eligible to play, he chose Florida. Using Gainesville as a one-year stopover feels like a move for many veteran players. But Mertz stayed. When he gets to the NFL, you’ll see and hear Florida as his school.
“I care about this place,” Mertz said. “This place gave me a second chance in college. They put so much time, energy and effort into my development as a player and as a person. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I feel like I owe everything I’ve gotten to this place. And I didn’t come back here just to increase my draft value.”
“I came back to win. That’s why I’m here now. That’s why I’m standing up here. That’s why I was just on the training ground for two hours in the heat – because I want to win. That’s why we’re here, man. That’s why we’re all here now.”
Similar path
Unlike Mertz, Dike stayed with the Badgers for one more season. He felt he didn’t fit in Luke Fickell’s offense. Dike managed to graduate from Wisconsin and head south to play alongside his close friend. Mertz can’t explain enough what Dike means to him.
“Yeah. One of the great things about Wisconsin is that the guys there care about each other, love each other and are so close. And that was an unfortunate turn of events, the coach got fired and at the time I thought it was my last year of college football.
“How do I find the best situation for me? How do I figure out who’s going to be my OC? All these different things. But I mean, Chim is my brother. I know this guy. We’ve been through some great times, some tough times. I don’t think anyone knows me like he does. I don’t think anyone knows him like I know him.”
Graham Mertz is a Gator. Even though he has toiled most of his career at Wisconsin, he loves the school, his teammates and the program for what they have done for him. That level of appreciation is rare in college football, where the symphony of mine plays the foulest notes.
