Florida football: Gators looking to Combine to up draft status
Eight Florida football players are taking part in the 2020 NFL Combine this week in Indianapolis. The Gators are looking to increase their draft stock.
Of the 337 players invited to take part in the 2020 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, eight are Florida football players.
The goal for all eight is to make a big enough impression on scouts and team officials to draw an interest leading up to the NFL Draft in April.
Here are the Florida football players taking part in the NFL Combine:
- Running back Lamical Perine
- Wide receiver Van Jefferson
- Wide receiver Freddie Swain
- Wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland
- Defensive end Jabari Zuniga
- Defensive end/linebacker Jonathan Greenard
- Cornerback C.J. Henderson
- Punter Tommy Townsend
On Wednesday, Greenard and Zuniga were measured leading up to exams and interviews tomorrow.
According to Sports Illustrated’s live blog, Zuniga weighed in at 11 pounds heavier than he was at the Senior Bowl in January. The issue could be when Zuniga is running drills Saturday. It will be interesting to see if the added weight has an impact on his performance.
Greenard, on the other hand, came in with an impressive 81 ¼-inch wingspan, which coaches will certainly take notice of.
On Tuesday, Jefferson told the media that he had meetings with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and an informal meeting with the Chicago Bears.
#Florida WR Van Jefferson said he met with the #Chiefs at the Senior Bowl.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) February 25, 2020
Florida WR Van Jefferson says he’s had an informal meeting with the #Bears at the Combine. He went to the same HS as current #Bears WR @AllenRobinson. Says he would love to play alongside Robinson.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) February 25, 2020
He also mentioned that his father’s former team, the New England Patriots, also met with him during the Senior Bowl last month.
Perine, the Orange Bowl Most Valuable Player, came in at just five pounds heavier than at the Senior Bowl. That shouldn’t make a huge impact on his on-field workouts.
On Thursday, Jefferson, Swain and Cleveland will have testing and interviews followed by on-field workouts. Perine and Townsend will have meetings psychological testing and weight room work. Zuniga, Greenard and Henderson will meet with the media, have medical exams and interview with position coaches.
Next. New video series goes behind the scenes with Gators. dark
It will be interesting to see how things play out for the former Florida football players. We won’t know anything officially until the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas in April.