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NFL Draft prospects for Gators, Knights, Seminoles

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Florida

QB Anthony Richardson, 6-4, 244

Prediction: Round 1

Buzz: Blessed with singular physical tools but saddled with an inconsistent track ultimate, Richardson is the draft’s ultimate risk-reward pick at the toughest position in sports. A team is sure to take chance, perhaps even with the No. 1 pick, to find out how good the 20-year-old can become.

G O’Cyrus Torrence 6-5, 330

Prediction: Rounds 1-2

Buzz: A textbook road grader in the run game who also did not yield a sack during 3,048 snaps in 48 games, 47 of them starts. Experienced, agile and tenacious, Torrence could be the first guard selected.

DL Gervon Dexter 6-6, 318

Prediction: Rounds 2-3

Buzz: Given his size, speed (4.88 in 40) and versatility, teams will choose potential over production (10.5 tackles for loss in three seasons). UF’s lack of interior depth forced Dexter to average more than 60 snaps in 2022, but a sluggish first step and tendency to play high are areas to improve.

WR Justin Shorter, 6-4, 229

Prediction: Rounds 5-6

Buzz: He never lived up to his billing as the nation’s top-rated receiver in the 2018 class, but Shorter’s size, leaping ability and ball skills are selling points. He needs time to reach top-end speed (4.55) but is a big-play threat (7 of 29 catches were longer than 25 yards).

LB Ventrell Miller, 6-0, 232

Prediction: Rounds 5-7

Buzz: Productive and physical against the run, Miller is a tough customer but soon turns 24. He played nine games with an injured foot that required December surgery and prevented him from addressing speed concerns. Special teams and a backup role still should earn him a phone call.

OL Richard Gouraige 6-5, 306

Prediction: Rounds 6-7

Buzz: Durable and versatile, he started 42 games, including 25 the past two seasons at left tackle. Instinctive and sound but not overly physical, Gouraige could end up inside because of he lacks the length of most NFL OTs.

DE Brenton Cox 6-4, 250

Prediction: Round 7-free agent

Buzz: A 5-star recruit who transferred from Georgia and was dismissed before the end of his final season at UF, Cox has off-the-field red flags. Cox has an explosive first step, decent top-end speed (4.82) and power at the point of attack, but his production was inconsistent. A team could get a steal or a headache.

LB Amari Burney 6-2, 233

Prediction: Round 7-free agent

Buzz: Burney arrived in 2019 as a safety and tried multiple spots before settling at inside linebacker. A 4.51-second 40 at Pro Day, position flexibility and a productive 2022 (71 tackles, 9 for loss, 4 pass break-ups, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles) will convince a team to give him a shot.

Trey Dean III, 6-2, 200

Prediction: Round 7-free agent

Buzz: He started 40 games in five seasons and totaled 173 stops the past two. But Dean missed more than his share of tackles and too often was left flat-footed in coverage. A 4.75-second 40 at the combine sent his stock tumbling, but he has the physicality to help a team on special teams.

S Rashad Torrence II 6-0, 193

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: He showed football IQ and feel to compile 171 tackles in 2021-22, but his lack of top-end speed (4.72) is a major red flag while his size and inconsistency wrapping up are concerns. A fourth college season might have been beneficial.

UCF

LS Alex Ward, 6-4, 240

Prediction: Round 7

Buzz: The lone long snapper at this year’s NFL Combine, Ward could end up as the only long snapper drafted, too. An older prospect with six years of college football under his belt, he’s a two-time finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the nation’s top long snapper.

RB Isaiah Bowser, 6-1, 220

Prediction: Round 7-free agent

Buzz: Gus Malzahn regularly referred to Bowser as an NFL-type running back and it seems likely he will end up on a practice squad. He scored 25 touchdowns in two seasons with the Knights after three years at Northwestern.

OL Ryan Swoboda, 6-10, 325

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: An experienced offensive lineman with 39 career starts, Swoboda is durable and athletic for his size. A multi-year starter at Virginia before joining the Knights, he’s considered a priority free agent.

OL Sam Jackson, 6-6, 325

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: The heart and soul of UCF’s offensive line the past four years, Jackson brings with him experience and versatility, having played at tackle and guard for the Knights.

S Divaad Wilson, 6-0, 195

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: A heavy hitter in the secondary, Wilson led the Knights with 3 interceptions in 2022. Aggressive and confident, Wilson started 23 games in the last two years at UCF after transferring from Georgia.

S Koby Perry, 6-0, 185

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: He finished second on the team with 56 tackles while playing in 13 games with just three starts. Perry was an FCS All-American at Austin Peay before transferring to UCF.

FSU

S Jammie Robinson, 5-11, 203

Prediction: Rounds 2-4

Buzz: Robinson is a solid defender who can be a route disruptor in the secondary. He accounted for 318 tackles, 7 interceptions and 16 passed defended during his time at South Carolina and Florida State.

OL Dillan Gibbons, 6-5, 327

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: After three seasons at Notre Dame, Gibbons transferred to Florida State, showcasing his versatility, mainly playing left guard and center. He allowed 25 pressures and no sacks in 1,547 snaps over the past two seasons.

DT Robert Copper, 6-2, 307

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: Cooper was a 4-star lineman who signed with the Seminoles as part of their 2018 recruiting class. He appeared in 57 games over five seasons, totaling 123 tackles, including 13 for loss (2.5 sacks).

TE Camren McDonald, 6-4, 245

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: McDonald started his college career primarily on special teams before moving into a larger role on the offense. He appeared in 58 games over five seasons, sharing time at tight end and in the slot position while helping out as a blocker.

WR Ontaria Wilson, 6-0, 175

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: Wilson began his career splitting time at cornerback and receiver before making the permanent move to wideout when he signed with Florida State in 2017. He tallied 1,521 yards on 108 catches (14.1 yards per catch) in 51 games.

DB Jarques McClellion, 6-0, 180

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: McClellion spent four seasons playing cornerback at Arkansas before joining the Seminoles as a transfer in 2021, where he spent the last two seasons as part of the secondary rotation behind safety Jammie Robinson.

TE Wyatt Rector, 6-2, 233

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: Rector’s name may not make the box score, but his impact has been important to the Seminoles’ rebirth. He played a vital role on the scout team and special teams unit, earning FSU’s Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year in 2022.

OL Jazston Turnetine, 6-7, 336

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: Turnetine’s size made him an excellent addition to the Seminoles’ offensive line in 2022, where he stepped into the role at right tackle after Bless Harris suffered a season-ending injury in the opener. He allowed 2 sacks and 15 pressures before suffering an injury in the bowl win.

DL Leonard Warner III, 6-4, 247

Prediction: Free agent

Buzz: Warner was a 4-star linebacker out of Georgia who switched to defensive end in 2022 after five seasons at FSU. He finished with 134 tackles, including 9 for loss (4.5 sacks).

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