WATCH: Florida QB Graham Mertz makes a young fan’s day in a heartwarming gesture

Graham Mertz has always shown his commitment to the fans since he arrived at Florida via the transfer portal in 2023. The quarterback transferred to Gainesville from Wisconsin, quickly becoming a beloved part of the Gator family after securing the starting role.

While the regular season is over, Mertz hasn't stopped showing how much he loves and appreciates Gainesville fans. He made the day of a young fan on Tuesday by stopping by and spending some time with him.

In his Instagram story, Graham Mertz posted a short video of him with a young fan named Beckett. Filled with the Florida spirit, the two made the “Gator Chomp” in unison. The quarterback captioned it with:

“Thanks for letting me stop by,” Mertz wrote.

Instagram story

Is Graham Mertz returning to Florida in 2025?

After playing two seasons in Gainesville, Graham Mertz won't be returning in the 2025 college football season. The quarterback has exhausted his years of eligibility in the landscape, and will now transition to the professional stage. His Wisconsin tenure lasted four seasons.

Apparently, the matchup against Tennessee was his last for Florida. The quarterback left with an injury, and was subsequently reported to have torn his ACL. He later released a statement on social media to thank the fans for their support during his time at the program.

“Thank you for 2 incredible years in Gainesville,” Mertz wrote. “Unfortunately, I suffered a torn ACL against Tennessee and will miss the remainder of the season.

“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.”

Florida coach Billy Napier also thanked Mertz for his contribution to the Gators. He fought through for the team despite the amount of adversity faced in his two years.

"It's only right for me to say how much I appreciate and am thankful for Graham in terms of all he has brought to the table to our team,” Napier said “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.”

Graham Mertz will be succeeded by DJ Lagway in the starting role next season. The true freshman quarterback has already given fans a glimpse of what to expect with his performance this season, leading them to an unlikely bowl game.