From Wisconsin's record-breaker to the NFL's Houston Texans roster
In short: In 2020, Graham Mertz became the first Wisconsin freshman to start a season opener since 1978. After a collegiate career marked by record-shattering performances, a COVID-19 outbreak, and a career-ending ACL tear, the former high school standout is now navigating the professional ranks of the NFL.
While a junior, Graham Mertz guided Blue Valley North to a Class 6A state title in Kansas. By his senior year, he had established himself as a premier talent, setting a state record with 51 touchdown passes and earning the title of Gatorade Kansas Football Player of the Year. His high school accolades included being a finalist for the Elite 11 and setting an All-American Bowl record with five touchdown passes.
At the University of Wisconsin, Mertz emerged as a significant talent, with ESPN once comparing his hype to that of Russell Wilson. During a victory over Illinois, he tied the school record with 17 consecutive completed passes and set a single-game completion record of 95.2%. However, his momentum was interrupted when he tested positive for COVID-19, contributing to a team-wide outbreak that cancelled two games.
Mertz's journey continued through the transfer portal to the Florida Gators in 2023, where he finished as the school's career leader in completion percentage. Despite a season-ending ACL tear against Tennessee in 2024, his resilience led him to the professional level. During the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Houston Texans picked him to serve as the third-choice quarterback after C. J. Stroud and Davis Mills. His professional tenure has faced its own hurdles, including a torn ACL during the 2026 preseason that placed him on injured reserve on August 15.
Mertz's football lineage is evident in his family; his father, Ron Mertz, played offensive line for Minnesota from 1989 to 1992, while his sisters, Lauren and Mya, played college basketball at Kansas State and Drake, respectively.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Graham Mertz
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