GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators received a double dose of good news on Monday afternoon.
Junior linebacker
Jarrad Davis and junior safety
Marcus Maye announced via Twitter they are returning for their senior seasons. Davis and Maye had until midnight to declare for the draft, the deadline for underclassmen.
Both players had their best season in 2015. Davis finished second on the team with 98 tackles, including 11 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. He added seven quarterback hurries and an interception.
Maye was fourth on the team with 82 tackles. He led Florida with five forced fumbles and added six pass breakups and two interceptions. Maye was recognized as a first-team All-American by USA Today.
The return of Davis and Maye provide the Gators with two key contributors and leaders on a defense that is losing underclassmen
Vernon Hargreaves III,
Keanu Neal and
Alex McCalister to the draft. Running back
Kelvin Taylor and receiver
Demarcus Robinson also are foregoing their final year of eligibility to enter the draft.
A look at Davis' announcement on Twitter:
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And here is Maye's announcement:
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