A comparatively quiet NFL Draft for the College of Florida turned busy throughout the hours after the three-day seven-round affair ended.
5 Gators reached agreements as unrestricted free brokers: linebacker Jeremiah Moon with the Baltimore Ravens; operating again Malik Davis with the Dallas Cowboys; offensive deal with Jean Delance with the Chicago Bears; and defensive tackles Antonio Valentino and Tyrone Truesdell with the New York Giants.
Three Gators have been drafted, the fewest since two gamers have been chosen in 2012. However cornerback Kaiir Elam, defensive lineman Zachary Carter and operating again Dameon Pierce every landed in favorable conditions.
Elam was chosen at No. 23 throughout the first spherical by the Buffalo Payments, giving Florida at the least one first-round decide throughout 9 of the previous 10 drafts. The AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals picked Carter within the third spherical at No. 95, seeking to construct the defensive entrance of a Tremendous Bowl group. Pierce went early within the fourth spherical, at No. 107, to a franchise coming off a 4-13 season and searching for playmakers.
Given their draft standing, the three gamers shall be given long-term contracts and ample alternative.
In the meantime, Moon and his fellow UDFAs must earn their maintain.
Moon affords dimension (6-5, 249) and athleticism, together with numerous expertise after having appeared in at the least one sport throughout a six-season stretch (2016-2021). Throughout that point he recorded 151 complete tackles, with 14 for loss (8 sacks) and had 4 passes defended.
Moon typically made an influence when on the sector however battled an array of accidents.
Davis needed to overcome harm himself after a quick begin to his faculty profession. He rushed for 526 yards in 2017 throughout seven video games as a first-year participant however suffered a torn ACL throughout a 42-7 loss to Georgia. The following season he broke his foot.
When wholesome, the 5-foot-10, 207-pound Tampa product was an efficient runner and gifted go catcher, highlighted by 100 receiving yards throughout a 2020 win towards Georgia. Davis rushed for 1,470 yards with 8 touchdowns and caught 70 passes for 726 yards and a pair of scores throughout his profession.
On the group’s Professional Day March 28, he recorded a vertical leap of 39½ inches and a 10-foot-7 broad bounce however ran simply 4.71 within the 40-yard sprint.
Delance flashed athletic skill himself as representatives of 28 groups regarded on 5 weeks in the past. The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Texas native was nicked up a lot of his Florida profession but nonetheless began three seasons at proper deal with.
Delance’s inconsistent play led coaches to hunt a alternative at instances, however nobody might unseat the previous College of Texas switch.
Valentino and Truesdell have been graduate transfers final season.
The personable Valentino turned a group spokesman and stable contributor. The 6-foot-2, 312-pound Penn State switch recorded 23 tackles with 3 for loss (1 sack) for the Gators after he appeared in 40 video games for the Nittany Lions, tallying 51 tackles, 12½ for a loss (6 sacks).
Truesdell, who arrived from Auburn, recorded simply 12 tackles throughout 13 video games.
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @osgators.
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