Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis was the only former Gator to be selected on the first day of the 2017 NFL Draft. Davis was selected with the 21st pick by the Detroit Lions. Davis was the second linebacker taken in the Draft after Temple’s Hasson Reddick.
Davis’ excellent showing at Florida’s pro day coupled with his impressive interviews made him a guaranteed first round pick according to ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper. Davis had an ankle injury that kept him out of the combine in Indianapolis.
Davis spent most of his first two seasons at Florida serving primarily as a back-up linebacker and special teams contributor. Davis recorded 94 tackles and 3.5 sacks and intercepted one pass as a junior. Though he spent much of 2016 injured, Davis was credited with 60 tackles and 2 sacks.
The NFL Draft continues from Philadelphia on Friday at 7:00 PM with rounds two and three. Several former Gators are expected to be taken including Quincy Wilson, Marcus Maye, Jalen ‘Teez’ Tabor, Caleb Brantley, and Alex Anzalone.