Florida has several players with NFL potential, per ESPN

Most of the preseason NFL draft hoopla directed at Florida has been aimed at quarterback Anthony Richardson, but it’s defensive lineman Gervon Dexter that is the highest-rated Gator in ESPN’s Todd McShay’s preseason rankings of the 2023 draft prospective customers.

Dexter cracked the best 50 with a grade of 80 (out of 100), but he’s still the seventh-ranked defensive deal with in the course. Even with totaling just 2.5 sacks final year, McShay likes his tranquil disruptiveness and sees him as a participant that could consider a large step forward this year.

“While he requirements to be much more consistent with his snap anticipation, he does a good work of having into offensive linemen’s pads with fantastic leverage and then utilizing his sturdy decrease physique to stroll them back into the quarterback. Towards the run, he employs very superior leverage to stand linemen up and get early control. He has lengthy arms and solid arms to management blocks, and his disengage skills continue on to enhance.”

Richardson is in a 4-way tie for the No. 62 spot on the checklist, unofficially. He’s the second-best rated Gator at 77, but he could close up obtaining drafted previously than Dexter as a prime-5 quarterback with space to expand. A powerful period could transfer him nearer to the Tyler Van Dyke (88) and Will Levis (89) array.

Louisiana offensive line transfer O’Cyrus Torrence could be an even hotter commodity occur the draft. He’s the No. 2 guard on McShay’s situation rankings and could quickly take in excess of the No. 1 place if he sales opportunities Florida to a dominant speeding match. Torrence came to UF to confirm that he could do it in the SEC, so he’s completely ready for the challenge.

Linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. and safety Trey Dean both skipped the draft to arrive back again for an excess year in the Swamp and enter the period with a 70 grade from McShay. Cox has ambitions of breaking the university sack record, and Dean should be a a lot-wanted veteran presence for a reasonably young secondary that just lost Kaiir Elam to the NFL.

McShay has Cox has the No. 7 outside linebacker in the place and Dean as the No. 8 security in the course.

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Lastly, Justin Shorter is the No. 18 receiver on McShay’s board. His 59 grade leaves a large amount to be sought after, but he could move up appreciably if Richardson finds him in the conclusion zone frequently this year.

The 2021 season marked the initial time in seven decades that the Florida Gators unsuccessful to deliver five or additional gamers to the NFL by way of the draft. ESPN believes the staff will bounce back again to its usual amount of NFL-expertise production, but a different down calendar year could hurt poorly on the recruiting path.

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Story originally appeared on Gators Wire