Gators defensive back Brian Poole is playing in Saturday's East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field.
Gators Poole, Harrell to play in East-West Shrine Game
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Updated: Friday, Jan. 22 (4:15 p.m.)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Vernon Hargreaves III, speaking to a group of reporters at SEC Football Media Days in July, reminded everyone not to forget about the player he considered Florida's most unappreciated defensive back.
Hargreaves received the most attention in Florida's secondary, and rightfully so as an All-American projected to be a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. But he wanted to talk about Brian Poole.
"He is a great player,'' Hargreaves said. "I look up to him and try to learn from him."
A three-year starter for the Gators, Poole is in St. Petersburg this week along with Gators linebacker Anthony Harrell in preparation for Saturday's East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field.
It's an opportunity for Poole to showcase to NFL scouts what Hargreaves saw in their three seasons together at Florida.
The 5-foot-10, 211-pound Poole had 40 tackles and 3.5 tackles-for loss in his final season at UF, similar to his junior season numbers (45 tackles, 3 TFLs). He didn't have an interception in 2015 after leading the team with four his junior season, including one for a touchdown in Florida's win over East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.
Still, Poole's versatility could help him at the next level. He played nickel and corner for the Gators and is projected by some as a safety in the NFL. Poole is one of three starters the Gators are losing in their secondary along with Hargreaves and safety Keanu Neal, who both opted to skip their senior seasons for the draft.
Meanwhile, Harrell played primarily on special teams for the Gators after transferring in as a fifth-year graduate student from Georgia Tech.
Poole and Harrell are on the East team, which is coached by former Notre Dame head coach and Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the game is live on the NFL Network.
In addition to Poole and Harrell, three other Gators were scheduled to play in postseason all-star games prior to offensive lineman Trip Thurman getting hurt during practice this week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, Calif.
Thurman suffered an ankle injury but was able to get practice time in front of NFL scouts. He is back in Gainesville and will not play in Saturday's game.
Meanwhile, tight end Jake McGee and linebacker Antonio Morrison will be in Mobile, Ala., next week for the Senior Bowl practices. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Vernon Hargreaves III, speaking to a group of reporters at SEC Football Media Days in July, reminded everyone not to forget about the player he considered Florida's most unappreciated defensive back.
Hargreaves received the most attention in Florida's secondary, and rightfully so as an All-American projected to be a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. But he wanted to talk about Brian Poole.
"He is a great player,'' Hargreaves said. "I look up to him and try to learn from him."
A three-year starter for the Gators, Poole is in St. Petersburg this week along with Gators linebacker Anthony Harrell in preparation for Saturday's East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field.
It's an opportunity for Poole to showcase to NFL scouts what Hargreaves saw in their three seasons together at Florida.
The 5-foot-10, 211-pound Poole had 40 tackles and 3.5 tackles-for loss in his final season at UF, similar to his junior season numbers (45 tackles, 3 TFLs). He didn't have an interception in 2015 after leading the team with four his junior season, including one for a touchdown in Florida's win over East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.
Florida's Brian Poole closes on an out route by Notre Dame WR Chris Brown in 7-on-7 drills. #eastwestshrinegame pic.twitter.com/JUVraAJgQt
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 19, 2016
Still, Poole's versatility could help him at the next level. He played nickel and corner for the Gators and is projected by some as a safety in the NFL. Poole is one of three starters the Gators are losing in their secondary along with Hargreaves and safety Keanu Neal, who both opted to skip their senior seasons for the draft.
Meanwhile, Harrell played primarily on special teams for the Gators after transferring in as a fifth-year graduate student from Georgia Tech.
Poole and Harrell are on the East team, which is coached by former Notre Dame head coach and Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the game is live on the NFL Network.
In addition to Poole and Harrell, three other Gators were scheduled to play in postseason all-star games prior to offensive lineman Trip Thurman getting hurt during practice this week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, Calif.
Thurman suffered an ankle injury but was able to get practice time in front of NFL scouts. He is back in Gainesville and will not play in Saturday's game.
Meanwhile, tight end Jake McGee and linebacker Antonio Morrison will be in Mobile, Ala., next week for the Senior Bowl practices. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30.
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