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Multiple former Florida Gators playing in the Canadian Football League

By Benjamin Henderson

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 05: Loucheiz Purifoy #15 of the Florida Gators asks the crowd for noise during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 5, 2013 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 05: Loucheiz Purifoy #15 of the Florida Gators asks the crowd for noise during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 5, 2013 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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The Canadian Football League is in week seven of the 2022 season. The league has its quirks compared to American football, including three downs to gain ten yards instead of four and the fact that receivers can be running forwards prior to the snap.

The league also serves as a home for many former college football players who couldn’t quite lock down a spot on a NFL roster. Former Gators running back Chris Rainey, for example, spent the last seven years playing in Canada.

The following are the former Florida Gators currently playing in the CFL.

Loucheiz Purifoy is the elder statesman of the Canadian Football League

Former cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy declared for the NFL draft following his junior year in 2013. He went undrafted and signed with the Indianapolis Colts and did play in 11 games during the 2014 NFL season.

Purifoy was waived by the Colts during the 2014 season, claimed by the Seattle Seahawks, but never saw an NFL field again after he failed a physical and was suspended for a large chunk of 2015.

Purifoy signed with the BC Lions in 2016 and has been a mainstay in Canada since. He has bounced around to a couple different teams but in 2022 he is once again with BC.

Purifoy has played in five game this year, registering 14 tackles, one sack, and one interception.

He is the former Gator with the most experience currently play in the Canadian Football League.

Martez Ivey

Former offensive tackle Martez Ivey has bounced around since his final season in Gainesville in 2018. Ivey was cut from the New England Patriots during training camp in 2019, played for the Tampa Bay Vipers in the XFL in 2020 and was cut from the Carolina Panthers’ camp in 2021.

Ivey wound up playing one game for the Toronto Argonauts last season and this year was traded to the Edmonton Elks.

Ivey has played in five games for the Elks along the offensive line.

Vosean Joseph

Also playing his last year of college football in 2018, Vosean Joseph was drafted in the 5th round of the 2019 NFL draft by Buffalo. Joseph missed the entire 2019 season due to a shoulder injury suffered during the preseason and was released during the Bills 2020 training camp.

Joseph is signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and was placed on their practice squad in June. Joseph hasn’t played in a game yet for Hamilton.

Jeawon Taylor

Former safety Jeawon Taylor went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft. After failing to sign with anybody for 2020 and 2021, Taylor has joined Ivey on the Edmonton Elks.

Taylor has played in four games so far, making eight tackles and one sack.

Matt Elam

One last player who started the year on a team but has since been cut is former defensive back Matt Elam.

Elam was signed to the before mentioned Edmonton Elks and appeared in their first three games, making eight tackles and one sack.

Elam was released however after their week three game against Calgary.

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