Several former Florida Gators football players have recently finalized rookie contracts, marking a significant step towards their professional debuts in the NFL. This follows their selection in recent NFL drafts, with particular attention on those drafted in 2025 and 2026, as teams finalize their rosters for the upcoming seasons.
Rookie Contract Signings and Draft Placements
The landscape of former Florida Gators in the NFL continues to shift. As of four days ago, Devin Moore, selected by the Chargers at pick 114 in the fourth round, and Austin Barber, chosen at pick 86 in the third round by the Browns, have signed their rookie deals. These signings are part of a larger trend, with several Gators finding NFL homes through recent drafts.
2025 NFL Draft Class
The 2025 NFL Draft saw seven Florida Gators prospects selected, primarily in the later rounds:
Chimere Dike (WR) to the Tennessee Titans, 4th round, pick 103.
Cam Jackson (DT) to the Carolina Panthers, 5th round, pick 140.
Jason Marshall Jr. (CB) to the Miami Dolphins, 5th round, pick 150.
Shemar James (LB) to the Dallas Cowboys, 5th round, pick 152.
Graham Mertz (QB) to the Houston Texans, 6th round, pick 197.
Jeremy Crawshaw (P) to the Denver Broncos, 6th round, pick 216.
Trikweze Bridges (DB) to the Los Angeles Chargers, 7th round, pick 256.
This class, with picks spread across rounds four through seven, notably set a program record for the most selections in a single draft, surpassing previous marks from the 2003 and 2007 drafts.
Read More: Preakness Stakes Today at Laurel Park Because Pimlico is Closed
2026 NFL Draft Projections
Looking ahead, projections for the 2026 NFL Draft suggest further opportunities for Florida talent:
Devin Moore (CB) is projected to the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round, pick 101.
Tyreak Sapp (DE) is forecasted to the Arizona Cardinals, fifth round, pick 143.
George Gumbs Jr. (DE) is anticipated to be selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round, pick 139.
Road to NFL Debuts
With contracts signed, the immediate focus shifts to earning playing time. Reports suggest that some of these rookies are positioned for early opportunities. For instance, Caleb Banks, a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings (though details on his specific draft year or contract signing are less clear in the provided data), is expected to make his debut in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Similarly, Austin Barber is anticipated to see action early with the Cleveland Browns. Other players, like Chimere Dike, are expected to contribute immediately on special teams in Tennessee.
Undrafted Free Agents and Future Outlook
Beyond drafted players, several former Gators have also signed as undrafted free agents, seeking to secure roster spots. Looking further into the future, potential 2027 NFL Draft selections like Bryce Thornton (S) and Cormani McClain (CB) are being monitored, with programs emphasizing player development and strength training to enhance their draft stock.
