Florida football QB opts out of Tennessee games

Mertz was taken to the injury tent after the TD throw and replaced on the following series by Florida Gators freshman quarterback DJ Lagway.

Mertz had gone 11 of 15 for 125 yards and a touchdown before suffering the injury.

Mertz started four of UF's first five games this season and missed UF's 45-7 win over Samford after suffering a concussion against Miami. He entered Saturday leading the SEC with a 77% completion rate.

Lagway is a five-star standout from Willis, Texas who shined at times for UF, throwing for 666 yards with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this season. He was named the 2023 Gatorade High School Player of the Year, becoming the first Florida player to achieve the feat since Emmitt Smith in 1987.