In a twist that has Gator Nation on edge, veteran quarterback Graham Mertz was reportedly seen exiting the Florida State football facility late Thursday evening. According to an anonymous FSU staffer, Mertz was not alone—he was allegedly accompanied by a member of the Seminoles’ recruiting staff and a man believed to be his high school mentor. While official sources from both Florida and Florida State have refused to comment, the buzz on social media is deafening.
Insiders suggest Mertz, who had a solid 2024 season but is facing fierce competition from younger QBs, may be exploring his options amid uncertainty about his starting status. A cryptic tweet from Mertz earlier that day—“Sometimes loyalty hurts more than leaving”—only added fuel to the fire.
Gator fans feel blindsided. “If he transfers to a rival, especially FSU, that’s betrayal 101,” one fan ranted on a Gainesville radio show. Meanwhile, FSU supporters are already dreaming up hashtags like #MertzMagic and #NoleItDown.
If the rumors prove true, this could go down as one of the most shocking intra-state transfer sagas in recent college football memory. The offseason just got a lot more dramatic in the Sunshine State.