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Loucheiz Purifoy - DB - Gators

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Florida junior CB Loucheiz Purifoy as the No. 10 overall prospect heading into the 2013 season.

"An exceptional athlete, Purifoy also provides value as a returner," Kiper writes. "He has the ball skills of a wide receiver and could also see time there in 2013. Can get beat because he's still finding his way in terms of technique, but more seasoning could make him a star." Despite losing multiple defensive prospects to the 2013 NFL Draft, the Gators' defense will remain very talented.
Source: ESPN
May 8 - 1:31 PM
Jeff Driskel - QB - Gators

Florida head coach Will Muschamp is happy with junior QB Jeff Driskel's offseason progression.

"Again, I've been nothing but pleased to this point of how he's attacked the offseason mentally and how he's worked," Muschamp said. "It's watching film, it's understanding schematically where to take the ball, (understanding) where you're protected. The film study, the mental repetition is so vital for all players, but especially as cerebral as the (quarterback) position can be, that's vital."
Source: Gator Sports
May 6 - 9:08 AM
Jessamen Dunker - T - Gators

Florida redshirt freshman OL Jessamen Dunker will transfer to another program.

Dunker was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle at the beginning of this year and subsequently suspended. "He felt like he needed a fresh start and I support him," Muschamp said. "We support him and hope for the best for him."
Source: Scott Carker on Twitter
Apr 30 - 12:48 PM
Josh Evans - DB - Gators

Jaguars selected Florida S Josh Evans with the No. 169 overall pick.

Evans (6-1, 207) was Matt Elam's bookend for the Gators, making 24 career starts and picking off five passes. A member of the UF track team early in his college career, Evans has fluid hips and the range to cover center field. He ran 4.58 at the Combine with a 10-foot-3 broad jump. Evans also has extensive special teams experience. That's where he'll contribute as a rookie.
Apr 27 - 3:44 PM
Caleb Sturgis - K - Gators

Dolphins selected Florida K Caleb Sturgis with the No. 166 overall pick.

Sturgis is the first kicker to come off the board in the 2013 draft. He made 24-of-28 field goals as a senior last season, nailing 8-of-9 from 40-plus yards out. The Dolphins are officially putting Dan Carpenter on notice. Miami can save $2.7 million against the cap by releasing Carpenter.
Apr 27 - 3:36 PM
Mike Gillislee - RB - Gators

Dolphins selected Florida RB Mike Gillislee with the No. 164 overall pick.

Gillislee (5-11, 208) carried the Gators' passing-inept offense on his back in 2012, rushing 244 times for 1,152 yards (4.72 YPC) and 10 touchdowns. He only made 23 career receptions, but flashed a mean streak in blitz pickup. Gillislee ran 4.55 at the Combine with a 1.59 ten-yard split. He is a decisive, fluid, athletic runner with some power and shake. Gillislee's vision and decision making behind blocks are works in progress, but he has starting potential down the line. He could eventually make Daniel Thomas expendable.
Apr 27 - 3:28 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Dolphins selected Florida LB Jelani Jenkins with the No. 104 overall pick.

Jenkins (6-0, 243) made 31 starts for UF, tallying 16.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three picks and one forced fumble. Jenkins played weak-side 'backer in Florida's 4-3, excelling in coverage. Unfortunately, Jenkins fractured his right foot in the 2012 regular season finale, and probably wasn't 100 percent when he ran 4.78 at the Gators' March Pro Day. Assuming Jenkins is healthy by camp, he could put himself in the mix in the Dolphins' nickel defense.
Apr 27 - 12:31 PM
Jordan Reed - TE - Gators

Redskins selected Florida TE Jordan Reed with the No. 85 overall pick.

Reed caught 45 balls for 559 yards (12.4 YPR) and three touchdowns as a junior before declaring for the draft. A Dustin Keller-type tight end, Reed is undersized and fluid, though he disappointed at the Combine with a 4.72 forty. Reed isn't going to block anyone in the NFL and will have to be utilized creatively as a receiver only. He's high-quality insurance in case Fred Davis (Achilles) breaks down or walks as a free agent following this season.
Apr 26 - 9:50 PM
Jon Bostic - LB - Gators

Bears selected Florida LB Jon Bostic with the No. 50 overall pick.

It's the highest pick the Bears have used on a linebacker since they took Brian Urlacher ninth overall in 2000. And now that Urlacher is gone, Bostic will serve as the early-down replacement. Bostic (6-1, 245) started 32 games at MIKE linebacker for the Gators, amassing 19 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He ran 4.61 at the Combine with a 1.58 ten-yard split and 22 bench reps. Bostic is a physical thumper with short-area burst and NFL starter potential.
Apr 26 - 7:50 PM
Matt Elam - DB - Gators

Ravens selected Florida S Matt Elam with the No. 32 overall pick.

The final pick of the first round should start opposite Michael Huff after the Ravens moved on from Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard. Elam (5-10, 208) made 26 starts for Florida, logging 23.5 career tackles for loss, six picks and three forced fumbles. He ran a 4.54 forty-yard dash at the Combine, and posted a 35.5-inch vertical. Elam offers top-notch ball skills and is a striker in the run game. He garnered pre-draft comparisons to Bob Sanders for his size and physicality. Elam covered slot receivers in Florida's nickel defense, but will struggle to match up with much taller tight ends in the NFL.
Apr 25 - 11:45 PM
Sharrif Floyd - DL - Gators

Vikings selected Florida DT Sharrif Floyd with the No. 23 overall pick.

Commonly mocked to the Raiders at No. 3 overall, Floyd suffered the biggest free fall of the night. A 6-foot-3, 297 classic three-technique interior rusher, Floyd finished his three-year Gators career with 26 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three field goal blocks, and one forced fumble across 26 starts. Floyd ran 4.92 at the Combine with a 1.68 ten-yard split and 30-inch vertical. Deemed "without question" this draft's No. 1 player on tape by NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, Floyd is an up-field penetrator in the mold of Warren Sapp. He'll be a threat for 6-8 sacks as a rookie while serving as 32-year-old Kevin Williams' eventual successor.
Apr 25 - 10:46 PM
Sharrif Floyd - DL - Gators

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport writes that the Oakland Raiders like Florida DT Sharrif Floyd but want to trade back.

"The most likely team to move back, I hear, is Oakland. The Raiders have made no secret of their desire to slide back. And even if they really want Floyd -- like everyone thinks they do -- they still would have a good chance at snagging him at No. 5 or 7. And with the way the Raiders must rebuild, they need more picks," Rapoport wrote. This comes as little surprise, if true, as many have pegged Floyd to Oakland for a while now.
Source: NFL.com
Apr 24 - 3:17 PM
Matt Elam - DB - Gators

The Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei writes that some scouts like Florida S Matt Elam more than Texas S Kenny Vaccaro.

'"He's not the biggest, but he does not play small," one respected talent evaluator said,' Pompei writes. Vaccaro is widely regarded as the top prospect in this year's draft class but apparently not to everyone. Elam is a smaller prospect that is better in run fits but has more fundamental problems in coverage. Vaccaro is expected to be draft in the first-round and go before Elam.
Source: Dan Pompei on Twitter
Apr 23 - 7:39 PM
Matt Elam - DB - Gators

New England Patriots GM Nick Caserio said the defensive backs group is deep and versatile.

"I think one of the things that’s probably unique about that position is that you’ve seen a few more players that have actually played multiple positions. Some have played safety, some have played corner, some have played a nickel position like the Matt Elam kid," Caserio said. "There are versatile players in the defensive backfield position that are not necessarily confined to one particular spot. ... I think there’s some depth and some versatility at that position." It's interesting that Caserio name-dropped Elam's name, as the Patriots have a fascination with Florida Gators.
Source: Providence Journal
Apr 23 - 6:51 PM
Sharrif Floyd - DL - Gators

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah writes Florida DT Sharrif Floyd could fall out of the top 10 if the Raiders pass on him at No. 3.

"The teams picking fourth through ninth either don't fit Floyd scheme-wise or they are set at the position. The Tennessee Titans (10th pick) would be his last hope to land in the top 10, barring a trade-up from another team," Jeremiah writes. We've speculated this before and it's definitely a possibility. Perhaps he will be an option for a team like the Carolina Panthers, provided someone like the San Francisco 49ers doesn't move up.
Source: NFL.com
Apr 22 - 3:17 PM

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