Florida football incumbent starting Graham Mertz is back from concussion protocol.
But Florida Gators coach Billy Napier didn’t tip his hand whether Mertz or freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will start for UF on Saturday in its SEC opener against Texas A&M (3:30 p.m., ABC).
With availability reports now required for SEC games, Napier said Florida will no longer release depth charts on Wednesday, as it has done throughout his two-plus year tenure. The availability reports will update again on Thursday and Friday nights and 90 minutes before kickoff.
Napier said in the beginning of the week that he intends to use both Mertz and Lagway against Texas A&M. How that will work remains to be seen. Lagway passed for a UF freshman record 456 yards and 3 TDs in Florida’s 45-7 win over Samford last Saturday, displaying a strong downfield throwing arm in completing six passes of 30 yards or more.
“Both players were able to get reps with both groups,” Napier said. “They’re both preparing at a high level in anticipation of both playing in the game. It’s been awesome to see them work together, as they prepare and practice, encouraging each other, collaborating with each other.”
Florida players and coaches say Mertz has looked sharp in practice this week in his return from a concussion.
“He’s had a great week,” Napier said. “I was telling him, ‘a couple days off helped you’. The ball is jumping out of his hand, I think he’s getting back into a rhythm. We’ve been able to practice outside the last couple days in the conditions, which is good for us. He’s certainly handled that well.”
Added Florida tight end Hayden Hansen: “He’s always been kind of a locked in guy but he’s extra locked in this week and he is a competitor, I’m sure he hated sitting out this game, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone come back from a concussion just so sharp and on point like he never left, sometimes you’ve got to knock the rust off a bit but I didn’t really see that with him this week.”
Florida listed 10 players as out and six players as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Aggies. Of note, starting safety Asa Turner and starting cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson are listed as out and starting wide receiver Eugene Wilson, who leads UF in receiving with 13 catches for 191 yards and 1 TD, also is listed as questionable.
Former Florida linebacker Scooby Williams is listed as questionable. Williams transferred to Texas A&M from Florida during the offseason, following former UF linebackers coach Jay Bateman, who is now Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator.
Florida football availability report
Out
WR Ja’Quavion Fraziars
CB Ja’Keem Jackson
TE Keon Zipperer
S Asa Turner
WR Kahleil Jackson
DB Ahman Covington
DB Brayden Slade
TE Caleb Rillos
WR Brian Green Jr.
DL Jamari Lyons
Questionable
DB Sharif Denson
WR Eguene Wilson III
DB Bryce Thornton
WR Andy Jean
CB Devin Moore
DE T.J. Searcy
Texas A&M availability report
Out
RB Ruenen Owens
OL Mark Nabou Jr.
Questionable
LB Scooby Williams
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: florida-football-injury-update-texasam-graham-mertz-eugene-wilson-iii
