Florida QB Graham Mertz reveals his strategy during Manning Passing Academy stakeout: "Be a sponge and soak everything in"

Graham Mertz is serving as a college counselor in an ongoing Manning Academy Camp at Nicholls State University campus in Thibodaux, Los Angeles. The Florida quarterback was one of the many college players invited as counselors to the high school player's camp.

Speaking in an interview during the camp session, Graham Mertz shared his playing strategy that involves giving everything, which he is counseling the high school campers with. He noted that the camping experience has been fun for him and also highly educative.

"I think it's just been so fun, we've been here for a day," Mertz said. "So for me, it's been able to pick pretty much everybody's brain whether it's a college guy, if it's a Manning, literally anybody here."

"Just ask questions, be a sponge, soak everything in, and then just kind of give back what I had, as a college counselor, older guy, that could kind of give his perspective. So it'll be fun."

Graham Mertz shares the experience of meeting fellow SEC stars in the camp

A host of other college players from the Southeastern Conference were invited as counselors for the camp, and Graham Mertz has shared time with a host of them. He noted that it's been fun having everyone around and it's helped them be more inquisitive about their fellow players.

"We've been having fun I mean," Mertz said. "Whether we sit down and get dinner, we run to Chick-fil-A or we go get coffee. It's funny because you learn how small the world is."

"You have a teammate that nowadays with the transfer portal might be on his team. You can ask him questions about him but no, we're having a good time. It's been fun," he added.

After returning to college for his final season of eligibility in college football, Mertz will face some of the players he's met at camp in the upcoming season. He is set to retain the starting role for the Gators in 2024.

What does the 2024 season hold for Florida?

Florida has experienced significant struggles over the last couple of years. The Gators, who used to be a contender in the college football landscape, are now barely recording a winning season.

However, the program is hoping to get back on track in the 2024 college football season, and they will count on the brilliance of Graham Mertz to achieve the ambitious goal.

Nonetheless, Florida has arguably the toughest schedule in college football next season. And many analysts see Billy Napier's team struggling once again next season.