Empire State of Mind: Gators' Tabor Set for Big Day in Big Apple

Cornerback Jalen Tabor is one of the nation's top defensive backs and a preseason first team All-SEC pick. (Photo: Allison Deutch for UAA)

Empire State of Mind: Gators' Tabor Set for Big Day in Big Apple

Monday, July 18, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter

Florida's junior cornerback to visit New York on Tuesday for media rounds and more

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- You know what they say about New York.

If you can make it there you can make it anywhere.

Gators cornerback Jalen Tabor takes his turn on Tuesday and you can follow along throughout the day on Twitter by using the hashtag #TaborTakesNYC.

Tabor will take his big personality to the Big Apple for a day of media interviews, social media fun and maybe even a slice of Ray's Pizza as he strolls down Broadway.

"I'm very excited and blessed for this opportunity," Tabor said. "It's an honor to represent the Gators and let my voice be heard."

As part of the Gators' preseason media plan set in motion weeks ago, Tabor, Florida's highest-profile player entering head coach Jim McElwain's second season, will visit New York during McElwain's trip to ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., for the network's annual SEC Car Wash.

Early Tuesday morning Tabor has a tour scheduled at "Good Morning America," which was set up by former UF quarterback and GMA personality Jesse Palmer, followed by a trip to NFL headquarters for a tour.

A junior from Washington, D.C., Tabor has various media interviews with outlets such as Sports Illustrated and Sirius XM Radio throughout the day and on the ride from New York City to New Jersey to meet up with McElwain for the flight home, Tabor is scheduled to appear on a conference call with local and national media.

Tabor was named to the preseason All-SEC First Team at last week's SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., after a breakout season as a sophomore.

Tabor was tabbed a second-team All-American by The Sporting News last season after becoming the first UF player to return two interceptions for touchdowns in a season since linebacker Brandon Spikes in 2009.

Tabor enters his junior season as a leader in Florida's secondary and a potential first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Teammate Marcus Maye said at SEC Media Days that Tabor has earned his reputation as one of the nation's top cornerbacks and a player that often gets under opposing fans' skin due to his outspoken and confident persona.

"What you see is what you get," Maye said. "Jalen's that guy on the field where you're going to hear, but you're also going to see him making plays, creating turnovers. He talks, but he's always there to back it up.

"He's a confident player. I wouldn't call him cocky or anything like that because he works hard. Jalen is one of those guys who is going to voice his opinion, but he's also going to show up when it's time to play."

Tabor will have time to play in New York, too.

He has a Facebook Live video scheduled after lunch on Tuesday and along with a pair of UF media representatives -- Will Pantages and yours truly -- you can check us out on social media for a taste of New York Tabor style as the day unfolds.

Who knows, maybe there will be time to toss around a football in Central Park or a trip to the top of the Empire State Building.

Whatever comes up, follow Tabor on Twitter (@_31Flavorz) and Instagram (_31Flavorz), as well as @FloridaGators, @GatorsFB and @GatorsScott.

With Tabor in New York City, the day is certain to have flavor to share.