Badgers battling to keep Graham Mertz

Elite programs all over the country are honing in on one of Wisconsin’s best quarterback recruits in years. Graham Mertz is one of the hottest high school names in the country. It’ll be no small feat for Wisconsin to hold onto him.

After Graham Mertz committed to Wisconsin in October of 2017 the offers kept rolling in. Clemson, Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Texas A&M and Minnesota are all pursuing the pro-style quarterback, just to name (more than) a few.

Mertz has recently been invited to the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, committed to play in the 2019 Under Armor All-American game and won the MVP of the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp. Conveniently enough, the camp was in Ohio State’s backyard in Columbus. He took an unofficial visit with the Buckeyes the same weekend.

Mertz would be the highest rated quarterback to commit to go to Wisconsin since Bart Houston, according to the 247 Sports composite ratings. Mertz already has a higher composite rating than Houston. A recruit of Mertz’s status would be huge for the Badgers who typically haven’t had elite play from the position.

Wisconsin has seen success because of its rushing attack and defense, but an elite quarterback would do even greater things for the program. Mertz could take a great offense to a new level and set Wisconsin up for even more quarterbacks of his talent down the line.

Keeping Mertz committed to the Badgers for the next year will be difficult. He still has his senior year of football to play which will likely boost his ratings even higher. Mertz threw 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions as a junior for Blue Valley North High School in Mission, Kansas. Building on that will make him an even more sought after recruit for the powerhouse programs competing with Wisconsin.

I predict Wisconsin will be able to keep Mertz committed through the season and he will eventually be in Madison. A strong season from the Badgers and a step forward for Alex Hornibrook should signal to Mertz that the coaching staff can develop quarterback talent and Wisconsin has true staying power as a program. Mertz’s style fits perfectly into the Wisconsin offense and he could become one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history.

The 2019 recruiting class is shaping up to be historic for Wisconsin. Mertz is an elite quarterback prospect and offensive lineman Logan Brown is one of the top players in the country. With a full season of football still to play the Badgers can only improve its 2019 class.