Florida QB Graham Mertz sends emotional message to the Gators family after suffering season-ending ACL injury 

The Florida Gators' already miserable season now has their starting quarterback Graham Mertz ruled out for the season. The signal-caller suffered a torn ACL against then-No. 8 Tennessee on Saturday.

It was a noncontact injury that seems to have taken place in the third quarter after Mertz threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Arlis Boardingham, which gave the Gators (3-3, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) a 10-0 lead. However, the Gators went on to lose 23-17 in overtime.

After Florida coach Billy Napier announced the torn ACL injury on Monday, Graham Mertz, a sixth-year senior, thanked the program and shared the news on Instagram.

"Unfortunately, I suffered a torn ACL against Tennessee and will miss the remainder of the season," Mertz wrote. "During my recovery, I will remain a part of the program and do whatever I can in meeting rooms and from the sideline to help my teammates win. I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support during this time."

Mertz will exit a season early for the second straight year after injuring his collarbone during a loss to Missouri in November.

Billy Napier thankful to Graham Mertz for leading Gators

Besides announcing the torn ACL, Billy Napier said that Graham Mertz will have surgery next week.

"It’s only right for me to say how much I appreciate, and (I’m) thankful for Graham in terms of all that he has brought to the table," Napier said. "To our team, not only his production on the field but also just his impact on the team as a whole, his leadership, the work ethic, the example, the self-discipline.”

In his absence, Billy Napier will likely turn to freshman DJ Lagway, a five-star recruit in the 2024 class, to lead the program's offense for the remainder of the season.

“I think there’s some excitement in terms of DJ and what he’s been able to accomplish thus far,” Napier said. “And I think he’ll be much more prepared having started a game, but also having played in each game this season.”

Lagway started one game (against Samford, with Graham Mertz sidelined by a concussion) this season. He has recorded 765 passing yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions. The Gators are preparing to host Kentucky (3-3, 1-3) on Saturday.