Caleb Banks gets the exciting news that he has been waiting for

The NFL Combine invite list has been repeated and there are a few players that Gator football fans will want to see during the event, which begins February 23 in Indianapolis.

Florida has a handful of players that were invited — wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, offensive linemen Austin Barber and Jake Slaughter, and defensive linemen Caleb Banks. George Gumbs Jr.,  and Tyreak Sapp, defensive back Devin Moore, kickier Trey Smack and punter Tommy Doman Jr. 

Nine Gators earn invites to the NFL Combine

There are over 300 players in all and with only 257 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, some of these players won't get selected. But still, it's a great honor to be invited to the public of workouts that professional sports have, and it's a great opportunity for all involved.

The biggest story among the invites is likely going to be Banks. Going into the all-star games, Banks was still a big unknown based on missing most of the 2025 season with injuries. But he was able to get a Senior Bowl invite and made the most of his week of practice, drawing the sort of attention that has many believing he could go in the first round.

But the week in Indianapolis will ultimately tell the final story. It's obvious that Banks has the skill level, and he can be dominant if he's healthy, but how has he been able to use the momentum from his time in Mobile to look even better at the combine? 

Banks began his college career at Louisville and transferred to Florida in 2023. His best year with the Gators came in 2024 with 21 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Banks also had 29 quarterback pressures that season and was a big part of Florida's late surge that season that resulted in Billy Napier's most successful run during his tenure as head coach.