It’s been a long road for former Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz. Through six years of college football, back-to-back season-ending injuries and months of gruelling rehab, the UF signal caller always had one goal in mind: to make his way into the NFL.

A former four-star talent at Wisconsin, Mertz transferred to Florida and impressed in 2023. He put together a very productive first season with the Gators, throwing for 2,903 yard

Florida has had at least one player taken in the NFL Draft every year since 1952, the second-longest streak in FBS, behind only Michigan and USC, who are tied for first. Last year, UF had just one player selected, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who went in the first round (31st overall) to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Carolina Panthers are continuing to fortify their defensive trench. On Saturday afternoon, the Panthers selected University of Florida defensive lineman Cam Jackson with the 140th pick of the 2025 NFL draft.