Florida Gators in the NFL: David Nelson’s Release Makes Way for Percy Harvin; Week 7 Performances

It was a bittersweet Friday for the Gator Nation as Percy Harvin was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the New York Jets for a conditional 2015 draft pick. That meant the Jets would have to make a move to clear up a roster spot for the former Florida standout, which ultimately was fellow Gator and college teammate David Nelson. The trade signifies a fresh start for Harvin in New York as Nelson will hopefully catch on with another NFL team soon. Harvin had 22 catches for 133 yards and 11 rushes for 92 yards and a tocuhdown for Seattle. Nelson was struggling this season with an ankle injury and caught eight passes for 62 yards on the season.Best of luck to Nelson, the ultimate team player!

As for performances on the field, a couple of former Gators made it back to action. Will Hill played for his first game in a Baltimore Ravens uniform and managed to play pretty well. Dominique Easley returned to the New England Patriots much quicker than expected after suffering a shoulder injury and Lerentee McCray was active once again for the Denver Broncos. The top performances of the week go to Cincinnati Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap and Minnesota Vikings DT Sharrif Floyd, who both notched five tackles, 1 sack, and two QB hits.

There are 37 former Gators in the NFL. Here’s how all of them fared in week 7:

S Matt Elam (2010-2012), Baltimore Ravens: Started – 1 tackle, 1 pass defended
S Will Hill, Baltimore Ravens: 2 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss, 1 QB hit – returned from substance abuse suspension
LB Brandon Spikes (2006-2009), Buffalo Bills: Started – 3 tackles, 1 pass defended
LB Jon Bostic (2010-2012), Chicago Bears: Injured/Inactive – back
DE Carlos Dunlap (2007-2009), Cincinnati Bengals: Started – 5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 1 pass defended
S Reggie Nelson (2004-2006), Cincinnati Bengals: Started – 9 tackles
CB Joe Haden (2007-2009), Cleveland Browns: Started – 4 tackles
DE Jeremy Mincey (2004-2005), Dallas Cowboys: Started – 1 tackle
WR Andre “Bubba” Caldwell (2003-2007), Denver Broncos: Played – came off bench
LB Lerentee McCray (2008-2012), Denver Broncos: 2 tackles – returned from knee injury
C Jonotthan Harrison (2009-2013), Indianapolis Colts: Started at C
OT Xavier Nixon (2009-2012), Indianapolis Colts: Injured Reserve – knee
CB Loucheiz Purifoy (2011-2013), Indianapolis Colts: Played – 2 tackles
S Josh Evans (2009-2012), Jacksonville Jaguars: Started – 4 tackles
WR Frankie Hammond (2008-2012), Kansas City Chiefs: Played – came off bench
DE Jaye Howard (2007-2011), Kansas City Chiefs: Played – came off bench
RB Mike Gillislee (2009-2012), Miami Dolphins: Injured Reserve – Out for season with a hamstring
LB Jelani Jenkins (2009-2012), Miami Dolphins: Started – 3 tackles
C Mike Pouncey (2007-2010), Miami Dolphins: Started at RG
K Caleb Sturgis (2008-2012), Miami Dolphins: 2/4 FG (long: 33), 3/3 PATS, 9 points
DT Sharrif Floyd (2010-2012), Minnesota Vikings: Started – 5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits
DE Justin Trattou (2007-2010), Minnesota Vikings: Practice Squad
DT Dominique Easley (2010-2013), New England Patriots: Played – returned from shoulder injury
LB Ronald Powell (2010-2013), New Orleans Saints: Played – came off bench
DE Jermaine Cunningham (2006-2009), New York Jets: Injured Reserve – Out for season with ACL
WR Percy Harvin (2006-2008), New York Jets: Traded from the Seattle Seahawks Friday following the Jets game against the Patriots for a conditional 2015 draft pick.
WR David Nelson (2005-2009), New York Jets: Released by Jets to make room for fellow Gator and college teammate Percy Harvin
TE Trey Burton (2010-2013), Philadelphia Eagles: BYE
WR Riley Cooper (2006-2009), Philadelphia Eagles: BYE
CB Jaylen Watkins (2010-2013), Philadelphia Eagles: BYE
OT Marcus Gilbert (2006-2010), Pittsburgh Steelers: Started at RT – left game in second quarter with a concussion
C Maurkice Pouncey (2007-2009), Pittsburgh Steelers: Started at C
DE Ray McDonald (2002-2006), San Francisco 49ers: Played – came off bench
CB Janoris Jenkins (2008-2010), St. Louis Rams: Started – 9 tackles, 1 pass defended
CB Marcus Roberson (2011-2013), St. Louis Rams: 1 tackle
RB Jeff Demps (2008-2011), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Practice Squad
WR Louis Murphy (2005-2008), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: BYE
WR Solomon Patton (2010-2013), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: BYE
S Major Wright (2007-2009), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: BYE
TE Jordan Reed (2009-2012), Washington Redskins: 6 targets, 5 catches for 54 yards

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