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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Florida

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06/29/21 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

University of Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz jumped into the NIL waters Monday, unveiling a trademark symbol. Mertz - a redshirt sophomore who became the team's starter last season - tweeted the image with the caption "Coming soon..." College athletes are set to begin earning money on their name, image and likenesses this week as state laws go into effect. NCAA President Mark Emmert told member schools last week that "interim solutions" to allow all student-athletes to profit from NIL opportunities will be in place by July 1 as the organization waits for a federal law to govern to be passed on the matter. Mertz has a Twitter following of nearly 25,000 users and an Instagram following of over 51,000 accounts. He'll be a test case for how Badgers athletes can profit from NIL sponsorships and endorsements when they're allowed later this week. - Wisconsin State Journal

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QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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06/14/21 - DJ Douglas, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

The Tulane football team has picked up Alabama transfer defensive back D.J. Douglas. Douglas, a 6-foot-0, 190-pound prospect who walked on to the Crimson Tide in 2019, will be on scholarship with the Green Wave and is expected to play cornerback and nickelback. After redshirting in 2019, he participated in Alabama's two playoff games en route to the national championship this past season. A product of Alabaster, Alabama, he received offers from Alabama State and Tuskegee out of high school according to 247Sports.com. - New Orleans Times Picayune

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SS DJ Douglas, Florida
News Source: New Orleans Times Picayune
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05/10/21 - Tyrone Truesdell, rSr/2022, Florida + More +

The way Truesdell went about his decision shouldn't come as a surprise, though. He isn't a flashy player, and he has always been a quieter presence on Auburn's defense. Still, his return was a significant one for the Tigers during an offseason that saw a coaching change and the departure of several key players on that side of the ball. "I think it's great that he came back," first-year defensive line coach Nick Eason said this spring. "…Having him here and having his leadership, he's kind of the silent leader. He's not a vocal guy but he just shows up and works. That's one of the things that I admire about him." Truesdell heads into this season as Auburn's most experienced defensive player, having appeared in 44 games over the last four years while making 19 starts at tackle. During that time, he has totaled 67 tackles, including nine for a loss and three sacks, while also recovering a pair of fumbles.

The numbers haven't been gaudy, but they rarely are for a 6-foot-2, 335-pound interior defensive lineman. Still, Truesdell has been a key piece to the puzzle for Auburn up front during his career, often tasked with doing the dirty work inside to try to open things up for those around him - whether it was Bryant, Newkirk, Colby Wooden or Derick Hall last season, or the likes of Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson in 2019. Truesdell's role will again have importance for Auburn this season, as he exited the spring with a firm grip on the starting nose tackle spot in defensive coordinator Derek Mason's 3-4 front. - Birmingham News

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DT Tyrone Truesdell, Florida
News Source: Birmingham News
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05/05/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida + More +

This past week's NFL Draft was an SEC reunion of sorts. There were 65 players picked out of the SEC, the most of any conference in the country. The next closest was the Big 10 with 44. The SEC set an all-time record, breaking the previous record of 64 set by, yes, the SEC. It should be no surprise the list of states with the most players in the NFL per capita is dominated by those in the south. Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida round out the top five. South Carolina and Texas come in at No. 8 and No. 10, respectively. The stranglehold the SEC has on being the top conference in the country in producing NFL players should continue for years to come. Three of the top five 2021 recruiting classes - No. 1 Alabama, No. 3 LSU and No. 4 Georgia - belonged to SEC schools, according to 247Sports. The SEC's slogan is "It Just Means More." That might as well be in reference to NFL Draft picks. - The Clarion Ledger

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TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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05/02/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida + More +

Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney on Thursday night became the first pair of Florida offensive skill players drafted in the opening round since Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony in 1997. Pitts played his final collegiate game in Atlanta, and will now begin his NFL career there. The Falcons selected the Mackey Award winner fourth overall, making him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. Toney became the first UF receiver since Percy Harvin to go in the first round, heading to the New York Giants with the 20th pick. "I've been waiting for that call my whole life," Pitts told ESPN. "When I saw my phone ring, I felt my heart drop. It's just step one in the right direction." Prior to Pitts, Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka (1961) and former Denver Broncos All-Pro Riley Odoms (1972) were the only tight ends taken in the top five. Pitts is the first Gators TE to be a first-round pick and the program's highest-drafted player at the position since Ben Troupe, a second-round selection (40th overall) in 2004. - Gainesville Sun

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TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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05/01/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida + More +

After rewriting the school and SEC record books in his final collegiate season, Mackey Award winner Kyle Pitts made history on the opening night of the 2021 NFL draft. With the Atlanta Falcons selecting him No. 4 overall Thursday, Pitts became the highest tight end taken in the common draft era and the first Gators TE to be a first-round pick. Jordan Reed, who retired in April, was the last UF player drafted at the position (2013) and Ben Troupe had been Florida's highest draftee (second round, No. 40) prior to Pitts. He and Riley Odoms (1972) are the only tight ends to go in the top five of the NFL's common draft era (since 1967). Here's what Pitts will bring to Atlanta, where he played his last college game and broke the UF record for career receiving yards by a tight end - 1,492 yards on 100 catches (second all-time). - Gainesville Sun

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TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/10/21 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

Once it was over, Graham Mertz took time to reflect after his first college football season as a starter. It hadn't gone how he wanted - after a record-setting starting debut in which he threw five touchdown passes, challenges started to pile up for the sophomore. He contracted COVID-19, testing positive the day after the Illinois game as part of an outbreak that derailed the University of Wisconsin's season for nearly three weeks. He struggled as his timing and accuracy were sporadic over the final six games of the year and UW finished 4-3. Mertz said as he evaluated the season, he looked inward first, asking himself how he needed to get better in each aspect of his game. He also took stock of how he needed to improve his approach off the field. "I took a couple of days just to kind of take that approach. 'How can I be the best Graham during the season?'" Mertz said Friday. When Mertz did begin studying tape, he broke his play down into particular elements and spent days watching each snap with an eye on that component. From his drop-backs to his understanding of scheme and recognition of defenses, Mertz took note of the strides he needed to make. He didn't specify when it happened, but Mertz also sustained a shoulder injury and had to get a cortisone shot one week. He rejected the idea that it was an explanation for his struggles. "I'm not one to sit here and make excuses for how I played, and having a little banged up shoulder doesn't justify losing three games (in a row) and playing like that," he said. "So I'm not going to sit here and make that an excuse, because it's not." - Wisconsin State Journal

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QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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04/03/21 - *Marco Wilson, rJr/2021, Florida + More +

Cornerback Marco Wilson arrived to Florida's Pro Day all but forgotten. Oh sure, some plays near the end of Wilson's college career will live in infamy for many Gators fans who won't forgive one of the most costly penalties in program history. The 22-year-old has the malicious direct messages and social media screeds directed at him to prove it. But Wednesday was about the future. Representatives from 31 of 32 NFL teams came primarily to watch Wilson's high-profile former teammates - namely Kyle Pitts, Kyle Trask and Kadarius Toney - strut their stuff and state their cases four weeks prior to the April 29-May 1 draft. Many of the intelligentsia on hand left Florida's indoor practice facility aware Wilson might have a bright future himself at the professional level.

Wilson put on a show the 58 NFL decision-makers on hand could not ignore. The Fort Lauderdale native said he never doubted he was capable. But Wilson surprised even himself by rising to the occasion as he did while alleviating questions about the quality of his play and his character. "I'm just proud of putting everything together," Wilson said. "I knew I was going to excel in every drill. I did all these numbers in training, so I wasn't surprised at all. I just have to make sure that I can hit all these numbers in one day." - Sun Sentinel

rJr/2021

CB *Marco Wilson, Florida
News Source: Sun Sentinel
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04/03/21 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida + More +

Kyle Pitts' All-American brick was put in Thursday ahead of his John Mackey Award ceremony. A day after solidifying himself as a top-10 pick, Kyle Pitts was cemented as a Florida football legend. The unanimous first team All-American received his brick outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Thursday, UF's first addition since Vernon Hargreaves III in 2015. Florida players named first team All-Americans are honored with a brick in their name, located on the Gator Walk entrance in front of The Swamp. Inside the stadium at Touchdown Terrace, Pitts was also presented Thursday night with the John Mackey Award during a private event. This comes on the heels of Pitts' dominant performance Wednesday at Florida's Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and posted the longest wingspan for an NFL receiver or tight end in the last 20 years. - Gainesville Sun

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TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/30/21 - Graham Mertz, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

Redshirt freshman Graham Mertz struggled to find consistent rhythm after a record-setting performance in his starting debut. Mertz completed just under 57% of his passes, threw four touchdowns and five interceptions the rest of the season after completing 20 of 21 passes against Illinois, tying a program record with five touchdowns. Cutting down on turnovers - Mertz also lost two fumbles last season - is the first step, but doing so will be the result of establishing better timing in the pocket. A majority of Mertz's interceptions last seasons were due to holding the ball too long or trying to throw a pass too late and the window of opportunity closing. Coach Paul Chryst's track record of coaching quarterbacks at UW includes the heights of Russell Wilson's stellar season in 2011 and a through line of consistent, smart play. Spring practices are the time to meld that coaching with Mertz's talent so the quarterback can take a big step forward this fall. - Wisconsin State Journal

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QB Graham Mertz, Florida
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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03/30/21 - Richard Gouraige, rSr/2023, Florida + More +

Florida offensive lineman Richard Gouraige received plenty of praise this spring from coach Dan Mullen. This offseason, Florida coach Dan Mullen had the responsibility of replacing starters at the two most important positions on his football team - quarterback and the player protecting his blind side. Both spots appear to be in good hands coming out of spring ball. Mullen acknowledged Emory Jones as QB1 following the final scrimmage, while calling Richard Gouraige one of two offensive linemen he feels most comfortable with. His position coach, John Hevesy, had no reservations about moving Gouraige to left tackle as a redshirt junior to take over for Stone Forsythe. "I feel very comfortable," Hevesy said of Gouraige. "He's done a great job so far, a very knowledgeable kid. Just very meticulous about his work ethic in everything he does."

The position switch was a welcomed change for Gouraige, who started 17 games at left guard the past two seasons. Gouraige said he enjoyed playing in the trenches and had to put his "big boy pants on" against SEC defensive tackles, but sliding outside has always been the goal and plan for him. "Playing left tackle is what I came here for," said Gouraige, a consensus top-100 overall recruit as an offensive tackle. "I like being on that island and going against the best edge rushers in the game. "There's nothing better than playing in the SEC and competing with guys like that. I just love playing tackle. It just feels more natural for me. I still have minor tweaks to fix up." - Gainesville Sun

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OT Richard Gouraige, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/18/21 - Daquan Newkirk, rSr/2022, Florida + More +

UF defensive line coach David Turner raved last week about grad transfer defensive tackles Daquan Newkirk and Antonio Shelton, calling them "vital" additions to the team. Turner said they have meshed well with the rest of the players and served as role models to Florida's younger D-linemen. "I think they bring a sense of maturity and they show the younger guys how to work," Mullen said of Newkirk and Shelton. "Both of those guys have brought an unbelievable attitude within the team and with their work ethic, how they show up, how they prepare...I think those guys will make major impacts for us this year.

"You're bringing in transfers that are going to help, need based to bring them in. Not just bring in anybody. Those were, that was a need position. And the mindset of what we wanted out of those guys was that maturity, that leadership, that attitude and that's what they bring to the table." Mullen stressed that he only brings in transfers who can make an immediate impact and address depth issues, which the Gators had at defensive tackle with the departure of seniors Kyree Campbell, Tedarrell Slaton and Marlon Dunlap. - Gainesville Sun

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DT Daquan Newkirk, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/15/21 - *Kaiir Elam, Jr/2022, Florida + More +

Kaiir Elam was the lone bright spot in a Florida secondary that struggled last year. The Gators finished 100th nationally in passing defense, but Elam had a strong sophomore season. He was named to the All-SEC Coaches' Football First Team after finishing with 39 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass deflections in 12 starts. "Not good enough," Elam said of his 2020 campaign. "I feel like I left some plays out there on the field. I'm just happy I can play this season, just to get better and keep elevating my game." Elam said he hasn't set any personal goals for himself like last year, other than being a leader on defense.

He also has a corner's mentality to not give up any receptions, and playing more press coverage this fall could help him meet that high bar. "Hopefully," Elam said when asked if he will. "I feel like that's what I'm best at, just playing press man. But obviously I would like to make more plays on the ball and force more turnovers, but everything goes back to just my main goal is to help my team win. "So not allowing a receiver to catch a ball. Leading the younger guys and other corners to keep getting better each and every day. Just being a better teammate and a leader to help my team win. Really that's my only goal this year." - Gainesville Sun

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CB *Kaiir Elam, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/14/21 - Zachary Carter, rSr/2022, Florida + More +

Florida defensive line coach David Turner had his football prayers answered this offseason. Defensive end Zachary Carter returned for his senior season, a smart decision according to Turner. "I told Zach I thought he had a chance if he came back to really establish himself as one of the better D-linemen," Turner said. "He knew, I think deep down, he knew he wasn't quite ready to make the jump." Turner's starting defensive tackles were, as seniors Kyree Campbell and Tedarrell Slaton moved on to the NFL instead of returning to school for their extra year of eligibility. That left the Gators with a major void inside, which was filled by the addition of grad transfers Daquan Newkirk (Auburn) and Antonio Shelton (Penn State).

"It was vital for us because we knew we needed, hopefully, a couple of older guys that fit in," Turner said. "We were fortunate to get two really good guys, not just players, but really good people. I did my homework. In this business everybody kind of knows everybody and you make phone calls. You want to make sure you're getting a guy that's going to be really good in your room. "And during the process, it's like recruiting all over again. You want to find out, No. 1, why they're leaving. No. 2, what are their goals? And No. 3, would it be a fit for you? Both of those guys checked all three boxes, and, I'm glad to have them. They've been really good for the younger guys and I think they've meshed really good with our group of guys." - Gainesville Sun

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DT Zachary Carter, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/11/21 - Cam Carroll, rSr/2025, Florida + More +

The last time we saw Cameron Carroll, he was running around the right end for a meaningless 65-yard touchdown with seven seconds left in Tulane's 38-27 loss to Nevada in the Idaho Potato Bowl. He was not going to turn down free points. "Honestly, it caught me by surprise," he said after one of Tulane's early spring football practices. "I didn't expect it, but our O-line executed and the wide receivers executed. It felt great. You never give up running." His career-long carry was one of an American Athletic Conference-leading 12 rushing touchdowns and likely was a preview of many more to come.

Carroll, a sturdily built, 6-foot-0, 225-pound power back with speed, proved he could do it all in a breakout redshirt sophomore season. He rushed for 741 yards on 122 carries (6.1 average), more than doubling his total of 364 yards in 2019, and even caught a 32-yard touchdown pass against Southern Miss. "He really made a vault from two years ago to last year, and we want that same type of improvement this year," coach Willie Fritz said. "He's got all the tools. He's smart, he's tough, he's got great movement, great size and he's got excellent hands." - New Orleans Times Picayune

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