Fla. schools hope for strong showing
UF, UCF not only programs expected to have draft picks
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the first overall pick when the 2022 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Las Vegas. Over the next three days, hundreds of college players will realize their childhood dreams of a professional football career.
Among those are players from the seven Football Bowl Subdivision college programs in Florida. Here is a look at what to expect from some of the schools not named UF or UCF:
Florida State
Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II is expected to be a first-round pick, becoming the 11th Seminoles player chosen in the first round since 2010. Johnson could become the first Seminole selected in the top 10 since safety Jalen Ramsey (2016).
While fellow defensive lineman Keir Thomas didn’t receive an invite to the NFL Combine, a strong showing at FSU’s Pro Day has some projecting the former South Carolina transfer as a Day 3 selection.
Running back Jashaun Corbin, quarterback McKenzie Milton, linebacker Andrew Parchment and linebacker Emmett Rice could be late-round options or free-agent signees.
Miami
The Hurricanes have had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft for the past 47 years and that streak should remain intact.
After a strong 2021 draft in which Miami had firstround selections in Jaelan
Phillips and Gregory Rousseau, it’s doubtful they’ll have anyone selected in the first two days.
Many experts project safety Bubba Bolden as a fourth- or fifth-round selection. Receiver Charleston Rambo could join him after a career season with 1,172 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Miami could have as many as 12 players either drafted or signing free-agent contracts, including running back Cam’Ron Harris, offensive lineman DJ Scaife Jr., safety Gurvan Hall Jr., offensive lineman Jarrid Williams, linebacker Zach McCloud, defensive lineman Jonathan Ford, cornerback DJ Ivey, quarterback D’Eriq King and receiver Mark Pope.
USF
The Bulls haven’t had anyone drafted since 2018, and while that streak could continue there are a few options to be considered. Defensive tackle Kevin Kegler appeared in 51 games during his five seasons, totaling 73 career tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Tight end Mitchell Brinkman spent the past two seasons in Tampa after transferring from Northern Illinois, and he finished his career with 909 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
FAU
Florida Atlantic has had 10 players drafted since 2010 but none since 2020.
Cornerback Zyon Gilbert has attracted some interest after a five-year college career that ended with 247 tackles, 26 passes defended and 5 interceptions. He ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash during the Owls’ Pro Day.
Receiver John Mitchell was fifth on the team in receptions (19) and receiving yards (258) this season and his size (6-4) makes him a good target.
Linebacker Caliph Brice finished among the top tacklers on the team in each of the past two seasons. Brice amassed 58 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, 6 quarterback hurries, and half a sack despite missing time with injuries.
FIU
Tailback D’vonte Price earned All-Conference USA honors in three straight seasons after amassing 2,203 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns during his five-year career at FIU. He’s hoping to become the first running back in program history selected in the NFL Draft, with some projecting him as a fifth-round selection.