Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz Tests Positive for COVID; Needs Second Test to Confirm

Graham Mertz, the redshirt freshman Wisconsin quarterback who had a phenomenal performance against Illinois on Friday night, has tested positive for COVID, according to reports from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal.

This is an initial positive test, and now Mertz needs a second test to confirm whether it's valid or a false positive a la Nick Saban. Per Big Ten protocols, if Mertz is confirmed positive, he will have to sit out for 21 days. In that time, Wisconsin plays Nebraska, Purdue and Michigan.

Here are the reports of the positive test:











Prayers up that this was a false positive for Mertz.

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Ryan Glasspiegel grew up in Connecticut, graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and lives in Chicago. Before OutKick, he wrote for Sports Illustrated and The Big Lead. He enjoys expensive bourbon and cheap beer.