Florida football: Two Gators projected to be first round picks
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half against LSU at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 15, 2022. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Lsu Tigers](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fa1c17fb6d5d2a06cb1934a09e7f4345add9fdda79047a5f45eba8724ace97913.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half against LSU at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 15, 2022. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Lsu Tigers")
Despite Florida football’s struggles this season as a team, there was plenty of talent on the roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Two Gators who are getting first-round projections are Anthony Richardson and O’Cyrus Torrence. Jordan Reid of ESPN released his mock draft earlier this week, projecting Richardson to go #9 overall to the Carolina Panthers, and Torrence to be drafted #17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Regardless of how you felt about the season, you have to respect the individual players’ abilities and recognize the talent that both these guys possess.
Florida football: Anthony Richardson
Richardson is one of the rawest talents at the quarterback position we’ve seen in a few years. He has the running ability of most running backs, and arm strength that is simply one of one.
The biggest flaw in Richardson’s game is his accuracy. He hasn’t been a very consistent passer, and it cost the Gators at certain points in the season.
Despite some of the concerns, there is a ton of hype around AR as a “project” draft prospect.
I'm watching Florida QB Anthony Richardson this morning and man... I get it.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 6, 2023
If you are looking for one of the guys that has the *potential* to be the next Josh Allen/Justin Herbert... he is it.
A team like the Panthers would be a good spot for AR to end up. They don’t have a great QB option at this point, so he’d be in a spot where he could play himself into some snaps early on. He’ll also be walking into a solid running game, which is his strength, and have a good receiver in DJ Moore to target.
Any top-ten pick is a good deal for a player, but the Panthers are a great spot for Richardson to start off his career.
Florida football: O’Cyrus Torrence
Torrence was the transfer with the most hype coming into last season, and he lived up to and broke all the expectations around him.
He was a consensus All-American this season and didn’t allow a sack. He was also PFF’s highest-graded offensive guard of the season.
O'Cyrus Torrence: 88.0 PFF Grade this season
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 21, 2022
1st among Power 5 Guards🔥 pic.twitter.com/PFHHeVf1ZN
At 6’5”-347, Torrence has an unreal size of combination and strength that not a lot of linemen in his draft class have.
When you think of the Steelers, you think of a tough, gritty team that will beat you down the entire game on the ground. Torrence was made for that type of environment.
Even if these projections aren’t spot on, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where both of these guys fall out of the first round.
Keep up with Florida football at Hail Florida Hail.