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A 2024 season that at various points looked potentially disastrous for the Florida football program turned into something more palatable by Christmas.
A Gators team that got off to a 4-5 start rebounded to win its final four games, including its first bowl victory in five years, all while five-star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway started to look like a potential program pillar at the game's most important position.
As Florida heads into its fourth season under coach Billy Napier, there's something that could offer either encouragement or worry — the Gators aren't losing many pieces to the NFL.
REQUIRED READING: Incoming freshmen show promise on defense during Florida football spring game
The 2025 NFL draft gets started with Thursday night's first round at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Unlike in previous years, when it had some of the top prospects available, Florida isn't expected to play a major role in the draft, with only a handful of players expected to hear their names called. While it could be seen as an indictment of Napier's recruiting and player development, it also means the Gators are only losing so much from a team that had a strong finish in 2024 and offered signs of hope for what could come next.
Who will Florida be losing to the NFL? And where are those players expected to land?
Here's a look at where Florida players are projected to end up in the 2025 NFL draft:
Here's a list of Florida football players who appeared in the seven-round NFL mock draft from Dane Brugler of The Athletic:
REQUIRED READING: How new defensive coaches have acclimated to Florida football this spring
For years, particularly during the accomplished coaching tenures of Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer, Florida was a factory for NFL talent, routinely sending players to the professional ranks after decorated college careers in which they led the Gators to SEC titles or even national championships.
The most Florida players ever taken in a single NFL draft was 10, which happened in 1978. On three other occasions — in 1992, 2007 and 2010 — it had nine players drafted. Even coming off leaner years, the Gators have had impressive NFL draft hauls, such as the six players they had selected in 2023 following a 6-7 season.
Here's a look at the most Florida players selected in a single NFL draft:
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: NFL mock draft 2025: Landing spots for Florida football prospects
Continue reading...
A Gators team that got off to a 4-5 start rebounded to win its final four games, including its first bowl victory in five years, all while five-star freshman quarterback DJ Lagway started to look like a potential program pillar at the game's most important position.
As Florida heads into its fourth season under coach Billy Napier, there's something that could offer either encouragement or worry — the Gators aren't losing many pieces to the NFL.
REQUIRED READING: Incoming freshmen show promise on defense during Florida football spring game
The 2025 NFL draft gets started with Thursday night's first round at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Unlike in previous years, when it had some of the top prospects available, Florida isn't expected to play a major role in the draft, with only a handful of players expected to hear their names called. While it could be seen as an indictment of Napier's recruiting and player development, it also means the Gators are only losing so much from a team that had a strong finish in 2024 and offered signs of hope for what could come next.
Who will Florida be losing to the NFL? And where are those players expected to land?
Here's a look at where Florida players are projected to end up in the 2025 NFL draft:
Florida football players in 2025 NFL mock drafts
Here's a list of Florida football players who appeared in the seven-round NFL mock draft from Dane Brugler of The Athletic:
- DT Cam Jackson: Round 4 to the Tennessee Titans (No. 103 overall)
- WR Chimere Dike: Round 6 to the Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 183 overall)
- LB Shemar James: Round 6 to the New York Jets (No. 207 overall)
- CB Jason Marshall: Round 7 to the Houston Texans (No. 236 overall)
REQUIRED READING: How new defensive coaches have acclimated to Florida football this spring
Most Florida players selected in NFL draft
For years, particularly during the accomplished coaching tenures of Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer, Florida was a factory for NFL talent, routinely sending players to the professional ranks after decorated college careers in which they led the Gators to SEC titles or even national championships.
The most Florida players ever taken in a single NFL draft was 10, which happened in 1978. On three other occasions — in 1992, 2007 and 2010 — it had nine players drafted. Even coming off leaner years, the Gators have had impressive NFL draft hauls, such as the six players they had selected in 2023 following a 6-7 season.
Here's a look at the most Florida players selected in a single NFL draft:
- 10: 1978
- 9: 2010, 2007, 1992
- 8: 2021, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1976
- 7: 2020, 2016, 1986, 1957
- 6: 2023, 1996, 1987, 1985, 1963, 1958, 1956
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: NFL mock draft 2025: Landing spots for Florida football prospects
Continue reading...
