UF linebacker Davis first player in state selected
Florida State star running backDalvin Cookwas expected to be the first instate college player selected in the 2017 NFL draft.
Instead, he was upset by aGator.
Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis was selected by the Detroit Lions with the No. 21 pick in the first round.
Davis was invited to Philadelphia for the NFL Draft, but he decided to stay home in Kingsland, Ga., spending time with the people who supported him every step of his career. Thisway, all ofthem— parents, grandparents, cousins — could share the moment when Davis’ phone rang and his lifelong dream began.
Davis is one of many Gatorswhose name will be called during the next few days. But he was the only one considered a lock to go during Thursday’s first round.
Elsewhere, Miami tight end David Njoku was among the projected firstround picks who waited late in the evening for Commissioner Roger Goodell to call their names. Njoku was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the 29th pick.
Miami’s Njoku, who along with quarterback Brad Kaayawas one of two Hurricanes underclassmen at the combine, finished second among tight ends with his 133-inch broad jump. The former national champion high jumper was third among tight ends with his 37.5-inch vertical jump and third among players at his position with a 6.97 time in the three-cone drill.
Njoku also ran a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, had 21 reps on the 225-bench press, and posted a 4.34 in the 20-yard shuttle.
At one time, as many as four Gatorswere in themix to be among the first 32 players selected during the 2017 draft.
While at UF, Davis, defensive tackle Caleb Brantley and cornerbacks Jalen Tabor and Quincy Willson each flashed first-round ability.
Davis then capitalized on the draft process unlike any of his former teammates.
Davis’ stockwas rising at the perfect time.
The well-spoken, insightful 22-year-old unsurprisinglywowedNFLdecisionduring his interview at the NFL Scouting Combine, where Davis was sidelined as he recovered froman ankle injury.
On March 28, Davis put a show at UF’s pro day. At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, recorded a vertical leap of 38.5 inches and had a standing broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches.
UFcoach JimMcElwain maintains draft decisions ultimately come down to “what you put on film.”
Speaking at the school’s pro day, McElwain continued, “Ultimately, all these drills do is either possibly confirm or put some things into it.”
The draft process can magnify a player’s shortcomings and raise red flags. In some cases, the fourmonth window is enough time for a player to make a mistake that will haunt him.
Other than Davis and cornerback Quincy Wilson, NFL teams with have to overlook something significant before drafting any other Gator.
Blessed with the size NFL teams covet, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Wilson followedupa breakout junior season with a 4.54-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. He then displayed agility and ball skills at pro day.
Cook, a Miami native, was thought tohave the best chance to go early, but teams favored former LSU tailback Leonard Fournette and former Stanford tailback Christian McCaffrey over Florida State’s alltime leading rusher.
Tampa Bay was expected to take Cook with theNo.19 pick if hewas still available, but the Bucs opted to select former Alabama tight end O.J. Howard.
Cook never seemed bothered by the chatter he might not be a high firstroundpick, vowingtowork hard and do his best wherever he landed.
FSUcoach Jimbo Fisher is equally confident Cook will be a star at the next level.
“He’ll always be a part of this family,” Fisher said shortly after Cook announced he would leave school early to enter the draft. “He’ll never not be part of this family, and we want the best for him.”