Gators Receiver Dike Has Made Impact Wherever He’s Been

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — They have all moved on since that late 2022 lunch at Café Hollander, a favorite spot near the University of Wisconsin campus where Badgers gather for Belgian beers and European-style comfort food.

Tight end Clay Cundiff, whose career was wrecked by injuries, retired from the game prior to the 2023 season. Center Joe Tippmann heard his name called a few months later in the second round of the NFL Draft, and Tippmann is now the starter for the New York Jets, snapping the ball to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, receiver Chimere Dike sensed what the lunch meeting might be about and wanted to offer his full support to quarterback Graham Mertz.

After four seasons at Wisconsin, Mertz informed a small group of close teammates that he was leaving to continue his career at Florida. Dike was the only player who would play for the Badgers last season, but he never took his eyes off Mertz.

“We stayed in touch,” Dike said. “Every single game that we didn’t play, we’d be in my living room with my roommates, and we were watching it. I remember watching the Tennessee game and being like, ‘Let’s go. That’s my guy.’ I’ve supported him all the way.”

Unbeknownst to Dike on that Madison winter afternoon, his days catching passes from Mertz were not over. He rejoined Mertz when he transferred to Florida in January, eager to see if they could reconnect the way they did at Wisconsin during the 2022 season when Dike led the Badgers with 47 receptions, 689 yards and six touchdowns. Dike’s numbers dipped to 19-238-1 last season.

“We kind of grew up together in college football,” Dike said.

Following Florida’s victory at Mississippi State last week, Dike smiled whenever Mertz’s name popped up after Mertz completed 21 of 23 passes and three touchdowns. Dike finished with three catches for 43 yards in the 45-28 win.

Starting in front of true freshman DJ Lagway in the two-quarterback system utilized by head coach Billy Napier, Mertz was sharp from the beginning.

“He’s competitive, resilient, and he doesn’t give in to adversity,” Dike said. “He’s one of my best friends off the field, just being able to spend so much time with him, but that’s a guy that has been through some adversity the past couple weeks, and I think when you turn on the film, you can see the character that he has. I’m thankful I get to play with him for one more year.”