Gators Pro Day Set for Thursday

Eleven Gators are scheduled to participate in the program’s 2023 Pro Day event beginning at 8:30 a.m.

2⃣4⃣ hours until Pro Day presented by @76 pic.twitter.com/ox3SGkU3v3

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) March 29, 2023

Who’s Coming

The Gators expect representatives from all 32 NFL teams and 70+ credentials are reserved for media, including SECN/ESPN/NFL+ coverage crews.

Players on Display

Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s chances of getting drafted No. 1 could increase with a solid performance on Thursday. Carolina, Houston and Indianapolis all have Top 5 picks and are expected to take a quarterback.

Moreover, Richardson will be throwing to his own receivers. Therefore, one of the familiar receivers include Justin Shorter. Last season, Shorter finished with 29 receptions for 577 yards and two touchdowns. At the combine, e put on a decent performance, recording an athleticism score of 69, ranking 37th among wide receivers.

Additionally, star offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence will be on display Thursday. The former Ragin’ Cajun followed Billy Napier to Florida and did not disappoint. Torrence was the first Gators offensive guard to be named a Consensus All-American, and the fifth lineman in Florida history. Also. he is projected to be drafted in the first round.

https://twitter.com/GatorsFB/status/1641120925360832526?s=20

Finally, linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. will be back in The Swamp for Pro Day despite being dismissed from the team halfway through the 2022 season. Before his dismissal, Cox Jr. notched 100 total tackles along with 28.5 tackles for losses over 29 games at Florida.

Something to Prove

Of the 11 players, only Amari Burney and Jordan Pouncey were not invited to the 2023 NFL Combine. Pro day will be the duo’s first opportunity to perform athletic testing drills in front of pro personnel.

In addition to the 11 members of the football team, former Florida sprinter Dedrick Vanover will also be participating. Vanover played a key role in the Gators’ 2022 National Outdoor Track & Field Title, and is the only non-football player participating in Pro Day activities. But before coming to Gainesville, he was an all-conference defensive back for Moorhouse College in Atlanta. In 2019 he had an impressive season, recording a team-high four interceptions and nine pass breakups placing third on the team in total tackles with 31.

Full television coverage will begin on SEC Network at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning.