Just because the 2018 signing period has come and gone doesn’t mean recruiting season stops.
This weekend, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, bringing together some of the best high school players in the nation, took place in San Antonio, Texas.
Before Saturday’s game, the U.S. Army National Combine took place a day earlier, showcasing some of the most talented prep athletes in younger classes. According to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong, “over 650 underclassmen” received the opportunity to participate.
That included 2019 quarterback and Wisconsin Badgers verbal commit Graham Mertz, who asserted himself well according to numerous analysts.
247Sports rated Mertz as an honorable mention at quarterback for their 2018 U.S. Army National Combine team. Based on a few throws tweeted out on social media, you can understand why.
At one point on Friday, Wiltfong tweeted that Mertz “has been the top QB” at the event.
#Badgers commit has been the top QB at the #ArmyCombine: https://t.co/WYJ5TxDPKG pic.twitter.com/jyShke9x0q
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 5, 2018
Mertz verbally committed to Wisconsin back on Oct. 8 and was the second known player to do so for the class of 2019 behind Grantburg, Wis., athlete Leo Chenal. He is currently rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports’ composite rankings and Rivals for a class with a lot of hype that includes other four-star players like offensive linemen Logan Brown and Joe Tippmann:
According to his junior highlights, Mertz completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,684 yards and 45 touchdowns this past season with only six interceptions. Michigan recently offered on Dec. 16, so it should be interesting to see what other programs try to woo Mertz away from UW.
Check out more of Mertz’ play during drills, as well as Twitter reactions from Friday:
4-star Overland Park (KS) BV North & Epic 7 Midwest QB Graham Mertz .@GrahamMertz5 putting on a show at #ArmyCombine. #Wisconsin commit. pic.twitter.com/R9lZNDbUBA
— Randy Withers (@RandyWithersKC) January 5, 2018
#Badgers 4-star commit Graham Mertz is the nearest QB here, making throws at the #ArmyCombine pic.twitter.com/OBRhNIXLaG
— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) January 5, 2018
4-star #Wisconsin QB commit .@GrahamMertz5 showing out at #ArmyCombine. Overland Park (KS) BV North and Epic 7 Midwest junior can #SpinIt. pic.twitter.com/iTcXMC3rv8
— Randy Withers (@RandyWithersKC) January 5, 2018
#Wisconsin 2019 QB commit Graham Mertz spinning it well at the #ArmyCombine: https://t.co/WYJ5TxDPKG pic.twitter.com/qInmk99f9R
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 5, 2018
@GrahamMertz5 proving that he should be a 5 . At the U.S. Army National Combine dominating. @RandyWithersKC @810varsity @RealChadRicardo @fbuniversity12 https://t.co/eLmlfIWoZf
— Wayne Orr (@Orrboysrock) January 5, 2018
@SWiltfong247 @fbuniversity12 @RealChadRicardo Definitely should be the West QB next yr. Throwing dimes all day. @CoachHoover https://t.co/9P5NUyUYT8
— Wayne Orr (@Orrboysrock) January 5, 2018