The NFL draft finished Saturday with a flurry of University of Florida players being picked as the Gators nearly matched their biggest output of the modern era.
Eight Florida players were taken over the three days, including a trio headed for the Miami Dolphins. While that number is one short of the 2007 and 2010 draft classes, it exceeded the total picked in the previous two years combined.
“It has been a great weekend for Florida football,” coach Will Muschamp said. “I’m proud of all our players who had lifelong dreams realized by getting drafted. They certainly have worked very hard and dedicated themselves to get to this point in their careers. I look forward to watching them and continuing to have them be a part of our program.”
The Gators’ eight picks were among 63 from the SEC, which led the country and set a conference record. The SEC had 12 first-rounders, including Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam. With 32 selections, the SEC’s Eastern Division had more than the ACC (31) or any other conference.
The Dolphins took linebacker Jelani Jenkins with the seventh pick of the fourth round, No. 104, then swooped in for two more Gators in the next round. They got running back Mike Gillislee at No. 164 and kicker Caleb Sturgis at No. 166. Since the NFL cut the draft to seven rounds in 1993, the only other teams to take more than two Gators are New England (three in 2010) and Chicago (four in 2003).
Three picks later, UF safety Josh Evans went to the Jacksonville Jaguars as the first choice in the sixth round.
“We feel like he’s got versatility to be both a free and strong safety in our system,” general manager Dave Caldwell said. “His urgency and toughness and competitiveness is really off the charts. To get a good local Florida Gator on our team, we felt good about that, too.”
Gillislee’s route to the NFL was unusual because of how long he waited for his opportunity at Florida. He finally got a starting job as a senior and delivered one of the best seasons in UF history, scoring 10 touchdowns. His 1,152 rushing yards were the program’s sixth-highest single-season total and far eclipsed the 930 he ran for over his first three years. He was the Gators’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2004.
“It’s been tough, but everything is worth it,” he said. “I just stayed focused and stayed humble and knew God was gonna bless me one day and give me an opportunity.”
In the first round, the Minnesota Vikings took Floyd at No. 23 and Elam landed with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 32.
Florida middle linebacker Jon Bostic, who played at Palm Beach Central High School, was the school’s third draft pick Friday. The Chicago Bears drafted him in the second round, 50th overall.
Several undrafted Gators signed as free agents shortly after the draft. Offensive tackle Xavier Nixon went to Washington, defensive tackle Omar Hunter to Pittsburgh, defensive end Earl Okine to Houston, linebacker Lerentee McCray to Denver and multipurpose offensive player Omarius Hines to Baltimore.
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