Florida quarterback Graham Mertz is out for the season due to a knee injury suffered during Saturday’s loss to Tennessee, Gators coach Billy Napier announced Monday.

Mertz — a sixth-year senior — suffered a non-contact injury on a third-quarter play during which he threw a touchdown pass to put the Gators up 10-0 in a game they eventually lost 23-17 in overtime. Medical exams revealed a torn ACL in Mertz’s knee, Napier said.

It’s the second straight season-ending injury for Mertz, who transferred to Florida from Wisconsin prior to the 2023 season. He suffered a broken collarbone during a loss to Missouri last November, and also missed the Sept. 7 game vs. Samford this year due to a concussion.

“It would only be right for me to say how much I appreciate how much Graham has brought to the team,” Napier said, via 247 Sports’ Jacob Rudner. “It’s been awesome to be a part of his growth and development. … Graham has meant a lot to me.”

Florida will now turn full-time to freshman DJ Lagway, a five-star recruit in the 2024 class. Lagway has played in five games this season (starting the Samford game), passing for 765 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions.

Florida (3-3, 1-2 SEC) hosts Kentucky on Saturday.