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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Florida

Previous 15 Notes

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05/06/20 - *Evan McPherson, Jr/2021, Florida + More +

Perhaps the Hokie Club should start a new chapter in the University of Florida football office. Former Pulaski County High School, Virginia Tech and NFL place-kicker Shayne Graham joined the Gators in late February as a special-teams quality-control coach. He became the third ex-Hokie on Florida coach Dan Mullen's staff. The nationally ranked Gators went 12-2 last season, including an Orange Bowl win over Virginia. "There are very high expectations that are set on the [Florida] program. You kind of want to be a part of that," Graham said this week in a phone interview from his Florida home. "The weather's warm and you're in the SEC and all that, but [it's about] knowing you're in such a competitive environment and you can be a contender and … also know that it's going to be an easier situation possibly to help you get exposed for further jobs down the road." Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and cornerbacks coach Torrian Gray are also former Virginia Tech players; Gray was one of Graham's teammates at Tech. Grantham and Gray have also been Tech assistants. - Roanoke Times

Jr/2021

K *Evan McPherson, Florida
News Source: Roanoke Times
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04/24/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida + More +

Three years ago, as a true freshman who had been on the Florida campus for a mere two months, cornerback CJ Henderson launched his college football career with back-to-back pick sixes in the first two games of the 2017 season. So, maybe everyone should have seen this coming. Henderson followed his blazing start with an outstanding career where he made many plays and was rarely beat in the UF secondary. And, now, the fantastic finale: Henderson is a first-round NFL Draft picked, selected in Round One by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the ninth overall pick Thursday night. The Jags had shown a great deal of interest in Henderson, talking to him three times leading up to the draft.

"They told me great things and felt great about me," he said. "They gave me an opportunity. I feel like I bring a lot. It feels great. I've heard great things about their defense. I plan on learning more about it and adding a spark to it. "I feel like I can work on every aspect of my game. I feel like I'm nowhere near my potential. I haven't reached that." After trading former All-Pro cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in recent months, cornerback was a huge need for the Jags in this draft. Henderson will be counted on to make an immediate impact in replacing those two. "I'm ready for it," he said. "I'm very smart and very athletic. I plan to use that. I work very hard on the field and in the film room as well. I plan to use both of those added on to my athleticism. I plan to dominate." - Gainesville Sun

Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/23/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida + More +

They stayed put and made their pick. The Jaguars did so after a day of rumors and trade speculation around the league and throughout the top 10, staying at their original position at No. 9 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and selecting a cornerback. The player: C.J. Henderson from the University of Florida. Henderson, widely rated one of the draft's best two cornerbacks, was projected as a potential Top 10 selection in many mock drafts leading into Thursday's draft. The Jaguars made the selection around 9:18 Thursday night. Henderson (6-feet-1, 204 pounds), who forewent his senior season to enter the draft, earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2019. He played nine games and made 33 tackles with 11 passes defensed. He then missed the Gators' bowl game to stay healthy and prepare for the draft. - Jaguars.com

Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Jaguars.com
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04/22/20 - *Percy Harvin, Jr/2009, Florida + More +

Percy Harvin is planning an NFL comeback nearly four years after his last game. The former Florida star and first-round draft pick by Minnesota in 2009 expects to get invited to a training camp this season and show his 32-year-old body still has what it takes to be an elite playmaker. "It's destiny," Harvin told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "There's always been something to stop me coming back. But things started slowly leading back to football and the desire started coming back." The biggest step came after hip surgery last August in Gainesville. Doctors found a blockage he said may have been there since high school. "Just had a lot of things that needed to be fixed," said Harvin, who turns 32 next month.

Harvin helped lead the Gators to their third national championship in 2008. The Vikings chose him with the 22nd overall selection a few months later. After four productive seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings traded him to Seattle for a trio of picks. He was limited to six games over two years with the Seahawks, who shipped him to the New York Jets in the middle of the 2014 season. Harvin played his final two years (2015-16) in Buffalo, where he caught 21 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. - Gainesville Sun

Jr/2009

WR *Percy Harvin, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/21/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida + More +

CJ Henderson's football journey has taken him five hours up the Florida Turnpike, from Miami Columbus High to Gainesville for three years as a standout cornerback with the Florida Gators. His next stop could be considerably closer. The Jacksonville Jaguars, just an hour away, hold the ninth pick in the NFL draft and need a starting cornerback to play across the field from Tre Herndon. Practically a local, Henderson makes a lot of sense in that spot even for those who don't overtly favor hometown prospects. He was a three-year starter at Florida who logged six interceptions and 20 pass breakups while showing that he never gave up on a play. He once caught speedy South Carolina receiver Deebo Samuel from behind before he could reach the goal line and sprinted across the field to tackle Tennessee tight end Austin Pope inside the five-yard line, jarring the ball loose before it bounced into the end zone for what became a touchback.

Henderson declared for the draft in December and sat out the Gators' Orange Bowl victory over Virginia to prevent possible injury. "I just felt like I was ready for the next level, the next challenge," he said of leaving college early at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Henderson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the combine and is widely considered the second-best defensive back prospect in the draft, trailing only Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. "I'd definitely rank myself No. 1," Henderson said before adding a disclaimer. "I expect everyone else to rank themselves the same. I highly respect the rest of the corners. What separates me is that I'm a competitor and I'm very smart." - Gainesville Sun

Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/09/20 - Van Jefferson, rSr/2020, Florida + More +

Wide receivers always want to avoid those blindside hits, whether it's going over the middle of the field or, say, going to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. In his two years at the University of Florida, wide receiver Van Jefferson managed to avoid blindside shots on the field, but he got drilled by one - figuratively - in Indianapolis. During his physical exam before the start of the on-field drills, doctors discovered a fracture in his right foot. Just like that, Jefferson's Combine was kaput. "It was definitely frustrating," Jefferson said Thursday. "That's the dream that I had since I was a kid, being invited to the Combine and competing against some of those guys out there, just enjoying the process." Jefferson did not see it coming. Or feel it, for that matter. "No, I never had problems with my foot," he said.

"My foot was never hurting me or bothering me. I never felt any pain in my foot. I was surprised that something came back like that (in the exam). "(The doctors) don't know when it happened. I don't know when it could have happened. I have no idea. I was clueless. It just popped up on the screen. Everything happens for a reason, though." Jefferson underwent surgery after the Combine and was facing six to eight weeks of rehab. He reaches the six-week mark Tuesday. "It's going well," he said. "I had my checkup (Wednesday) and it went well. I can finally start getting into a shoe now and doing my exercises and getting back into my routine. "I'm chomping at the bit to get back." - Gainesville Sun

rSr/2020

WR Van Jefferson, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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04/01/20 - Kadarius Toney, Sr/2021, Florida + More +

If there is a 2020 college football season, some of the big questions heading in for the Florida Gators will be concerning the four senior receivers from last year's team who are no longer here. How do you replace their production? Will they be missed? Well, we already have an answer to the second question. Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Josh Hammond are already being missed, maybe not by Gator Nation yet, but by the receivers they've left behind in Gainesville. So, with those four seniors gone, will there be a dropoff at wide receiver in 2020?

"Not at all," Hammond said. The three redshirt freshmen, along with Wells, a senior, are ready to step in and step up, Hammond said. "They're prepared," he said. "They've all been put in situations for them to understand what's next for them. I think Coach G (Billy Gonzales) did a really good job of preparing them for what's about to come nest. "They all did a good job learning from us. None of those guys ever didn't listen to us or questioned us. All those guys came in with open ears and we welcomed them with open arms. We tried to help them as much as we could. "They all listened. They were really good listeners. It leaves no doubt in my mind that the ball will keep rolling the way it's been rolling. All those guys are going to be fine." - Gainesville Sun

Sr/2021

WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/29/20 - Josh Hammond, Sr/2020, Florida + More +

Van Jefferson, Tyrie Cleveland and Freddie Swain were invited to the Combine. Josh Hammond was not. Then, just a few weeks ago, the word came out that Pro Day had been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, sidelining all four and the rest of the draft-eligible UF players. "It definitely sucked," Hammond said. "I wanted to be there (at the Combine) to be with my brothers and have that experience with them. That's something that was out of my control. "Pro Day was out of our control as well. To have Pro Day, it would have been a good time. We were all looking forward to it. We knew we'd all be there and all the young (UF receivers) would be there. They were really looking forward to seeing us. They were bummed they didn't get to spend some time with us."

The Fab Four's playing run together is over. They're no longer a group. They're all on their own now, going solo as they prepare for the NFL draft April 23-25. Hammond is probably a little more accustomed to this situation because he's been in it longer since he was snubbed by the Combine. He's also been motivated by the NFL's decision not to include him in Indianapolis. "It just puts another chip on your shoulder," he said. "There are a lot of guys that don't go to the Combine that played in the NFL and played for a really, really long time. Did a lot of great things. "I don't think it really bothered me too much. I just wanted to be there with the other three. But that's not in my control." - Gainesville Sun

Sr/2020

WR Josh Hammond, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/19/20 - Kyle Trask, rSr/2021, Florida + More +

After going 21-5 and leading the Florida Gators to consecutive New Year's Six bowl games in his first two seasons in Gainesville, head football coach Dan Mullen is due a raise and a contract extension. He's going to get both. It's just a matter of when now. UF athletic director Scott Stricklin said last week that he's been in discussions with Mullen's agent about a contract extension, but does not have a timetable for closing the deal. "I don't know," Stricklin said. "I expect Dan to be here a long time."

There were indications from Stricklin and Mullen at the end of the 2019 regular season in December that a contract extension and raise would be coming for Mullen. At that time Mullen's name had come up as a possible candidate for several NFL jobs, mainly Dallas, where the Cowboys' quarterback is Dak Prescott, who Mullen coached and developed at Mississippi State. Mullen said he was flattered by the perceived interest from the NFL and considered it a compliment, but had no intention of leaving UF at this stage of his coaching career. "I know what I have here," Mullen said in December. "I love being here. I think we're building a championship program here. - Gainesville Sun

rSr/2021

QB Kyle Trask, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/15/20 - Kadarius Toney, Sr/2021, Florida + More +

Sometimes Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney even stuns himself with some of his myriad manic move combinations. Take the play he made against Florida State last November. After taking a little scoop pass from quarterback Kyle Trask in the backfield, he appeared hemmed in by two defenders on the edge. But he made one of those ankle-breaking cuts of his that not only made the two defenders miss, it made them collide, injuring one. From there, Toney went into full joystick mode, cutting back, darting around defenders, making others miss before he was finally brought down after a 47-yard gain that started off looking like a five-yard loss. "The most memorable play that I've made," he said. "Everything happened so fast. I didn't even know what I was doing. Everything was just so quick and spontaneous. It was like, 'Wow.' I surprise myself with different moves. "When I see that (on tape), it's mind blowing that I really can do that. I'm just as surprised as the fans, overwhelmed in a way. But I've been playing the same way since I was knee-high. I've just always been that guy."

That guy is an explosive, dynamic, game-changing offensive weapon. That's why Florida coach Dan Mullen is always talking about making sure Toney gets his share of touches in games. That doesn't always translate into him actually getting them. As a result, his three-year UF highlight reel is breathtaking but relatively brief. For his career, he has 49 receptions for 575 yards and three touchdowns and has rushed for 458 yards. This past season his numbers were down - 10 catches for 194 yards and a TD and 59 yards rushing - but mainly because he missed six games in the middle of the season with an injured shoulder/back. He expects his numbers to grow exponentially in 2020. Not just because he's 100-percent healthy again, but because more opportunities are going to be there with the Gators losing those four senior wide receivers from last season - Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland and Josh Hammond. - Gainesville Sun

Sr/2021

WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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03/12/20 - *Kyle Pitts, Jr/2021, Florida + More +

It didn't take long for Florida's latest tight ends coach Tim Brewster to make a positive impression on the program. Nor did it take long for him to leave an impression on Gators standout tight end Kyle Pitts. "Coach Brewster is a high-energy guy. He has a great history with tight ends he produced in the NFL," Pitts said. "We're just soaking in knowledge that he's bringing and just adding to what Coach (Larry) Scott already instilled in our minds." While Brewster's arrival comes with much fanfare and excitement, it's never easy to lose a position coach when it comes to the players themselves, especially for the first time - although Pitts acknowledged Scott handled the transition with class. "I talked to Coach Scott, he called me the night he accepted it and he was just saying there's things you have to do in life as far as family and stuff," Pitts revealed. "(Then) I talked to Coach (Dan) Mullen and he told me Coach Brewster was going to be the new coach."

It would make sense that Pitts' expectations for Brewster are high, and that's before considering Scott helped turn him into a bonafide pass-catcher in the SEC as a sophomore. The Philadelphia native hauled in a team-high 54 passes for 649 yards and five touchdowns in 2019, meaning it's safe to say he's Florida's leading returning receiver despite the tight end designation. That versatility isn't going anywhere, although Pitts has made his continued physical transformation a point of emphasis in the offseason. "I'm at 246 right now. Compared to, in season I was playing around 235," he said. "Really just getting heavier and being able to be in-line and very versatile outside and in the slot as well." - Gainesville Sun

Jr/2021

TE *Kyle Pitts, Florida
News Source: Gainesville Sun
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02/25/20 - Lamical Perine, Sr/2020, Florida + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Lamical Perine, RB, Florida,...Appeared in 50 games (22 starts) during his collegiate career, finishing with 2,485 rushing yards on 494 carries and 22 touchdowns...Tallied 72 receptions for 674 yards (9.4 avg.), catching eight touchdowns in his career...Ranked ninth in school history in career rushing and receiving yards...Only Gator to post a receiving and rushing touchdown in multiple bowl games...Appeared and started in all 13 games his senior year with the Gators...Led the team with 676 rushing yards in 132 carries (5.1 avg.) and six touchdowns in 2019. - Florida Football

Sr/2020

RB Lamical Perine, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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02/25/20 - Jabari Zuniga, rSr/2020, Florida + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida,...Finished his collegiate career with 118 tackles (54 solo), 34.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks in 42 game appearances...Appeared in six contests (5 starts), tallying 14 defensive stops (7 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss (32 yds.) and 3.0 sacks for 20 yards in 2019...Named to the Preseason First Team All-SEC. - Florida Football

rSr/2020

DE Jabari Zuniga, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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02/24/20 - *CJ Henderson, Jr/2020, Florida + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida,...Appeared and started in nine games for the Gators, collecting 32 tackles (25 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss (6 yds.), one sack for nine yards and 11 pass breakups...Tied his career high of eight tackles (1 solo) at South Carolina...Missed games against Kentucky, Tennessee and Towson due to injury...Named to the Preseason First Team All-SEC and the Coaches' All-SEC First Team in addition to being a Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and Lombardi semifinalist. - Florida Football

Jr/2020

CB *CJ Henderson, Florida
News Source: Florida Football
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02/24/20 - Jonathan Greenard, rSr/2020, Florida + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Jonathan Greenard, DE, Florida,...Made the most of his lone season at Florida, leading the SEC with 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss...Totaled 52 tackles, including 27 solo stops, three forced fumbles, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery he took back 80 yards for a touchdown...First-Team All-SEC selection by the coaches and AP...A four-time Defensive Lineman of the Week honoree (Miami, Vanderbilt, Missouri & Florida State...Garnered Walter Camp FBS National Player of the Week accolades for his two sacks and five TFLs against at Missouri. - Florida Football

rSr/2020