GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sharrif Floyd was drafted No. 23 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013.
A year later, the New England Patriots drafted Dominique Easley with the 29th pick, despite Easley missing most of the year with a knee injury.
In 2015, Dante Fowler was the third overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Leading into the 2016 Draft, Jonathan Bullard is drawing praise from the scouting community as a possible first-round selection.
So who's next?
Many around the Florida program feel that one guy fits the bill: Caleb Brantley.
"I've been really happy with Caleb Brantley in the front," said head coach Jim McElwain. "I think Jon Bullard did a great job of kind of teaching him what it is to be that person. So far he's been really good this offseason."
Those around the Southeastern Conference began to take notice of the redshirt junior from Crescent City last season. He started 10 games for the Gators and totaled a career-high 29 tackles. With Bullard garnering most of the attention from opposing offensive lines, Brantley became a disruptive force on the interior and racked up 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks.
With Bullard's departure, Brantley knows that there is a void to be filled heading into 2016.
"[Bullard] taught me how to be a leader, a role model to the younger guys, to always do stuff right," Brantley said after Wednesday's practice. "You don't want to be the guy that coaches look at to lead the young guys and you're messing stuff up. I'm just trying to lead by example, do all the little stuff right - have your shirt tucked in - just the little things."
As his role increases this offseason, Brantley knows he is going to draw the eye of opposing offensive line coaches in the film room. His teammates are already giving him a taste of the double teams he'll be facing on Saturdays in the fall.
Caleb Brantley with defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.
"I love double teams," said Brantley. "I feel like practice is a good way to get better for in-game situations. You're going to play guys like LSU and Georgia and see the double team a lot."
"When you're inside, there's 650 pounds of SEC offensive linemen trying to get after you," defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said.
Despite the double teams, Brantley knows the value that he brings to the interior of the defensive line. As the double teams come his way, his teammates will have plenty of opportunities to make plays of their own.
"It is frustrating, but at the same time I can't be selfish," he said. "If you're good, you're going to get double-teamed nine times out of 10. It's a chance for other guys to step up. I'm not the only one on the D-line that's a hell-raiser. You've got CeCe Jefferson, Bryan Cox, Taven Bryan. I love our whole D-line. Pick your poison. We've got some guys that can get to the passer."
As spring football heats up and the Gators head toward summer workouts, Brantley has one mission.
"I feel like I'm the best d-lineman in the country. I'm coming out trying to prove it."
