Six Gators Invited to NFL Combine
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 | Football
Florida has had 230 players invited to the NFL Combine, which is the most in the SEC.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators will be well represented at the NFL Combine next month.
The NFL released its official list of invitees on Tuesday afternoon and six Florida players are invited, including four juniors or redshirt juniors who opted to forgo their final year of eligibility and enter the draft.
Taven Bryan, Antonio Callaway, Duke Dawson, Marcell Harris, Eddy Pineiro and Johnny Townsend will be in Indianapolis the week of March 2-5 to display their skills in front of NFL personnel.
There are 70 former SEC players who are invited to participate in the 2018 NFL Combine, which is the most of any college football conference. Overall, the Gators have had 230 players invited to the combine, which is the top number in the SEC and the third-most in the country.
Schools with most players invited to NFL combine, history:
- Florida State – 235
- Miami (FL) – 233
- Florida – 230
- Ohio State – 227
- USC – 226
- LSU – 210
- Alabama – 205
- Nebraska – 200
- Tennessee – 196
- Oklahoma – 195
The NFL Combine consists of more than 300 players being put through a series of drills, tests and interviews while more than 600 NFL personnel in attendance (including coaching staffs, executives, player personnel and medical staffs) look on and evaluate each of them. It amounts to a major job interview for these athletes to participate in ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft on April 26-28.
FloridaGators.com will have more coverage of UF's NFL prospects as the draft approaches.
The six Gators off the 2017 team with invites include the following:
DL Taven Bryan (6-4, 291)
- 2017: Declared for the NFL Draft after the season… Started all 11 games at defensive tackle… Recorded 40 total tackles, six tackles-for-loss, four sacks and three quarterback hurries… His four sacks were tied for the second-most on the team… Posted his best game as a collegian against Texas A&M when tallied seven total tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 13 yards… Garnered Second Team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press.
- 2016: Appeared in all 13 games throughout the season and started two... Totaled 17 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup… Led the team with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries... Recorded a career-high four tackles at Arkansas and registered his lone sack of the season against South Carolina.
- 2015: Played in 12 games and started at defensive tackle in UF's victory over Ole Miss... Totaled 10 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss... Had two quarterback hurries... Recovered a fumble and returned it 48 yards against Florida Atlantic... Posted multiple tackles against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
- 2014: Did not see any game action and redshirted.
WR Antonio Callaway (5-10, 193)
- 2017: Declared for the NFL Draft after the season… Spent the entire season suspended and away from the team.
- 2016: Appeared in 12 games and started 11… Following his rushing touchdown against Georgia and a kickoff return touchdown against Missouri, Callaway became the first player in school history and 21st FBS player since 1996 to score a rushing, receiving, passing, punt return, and kickoff return touchdown in a career, and the list of the previous 20 players includes the likes of NFL stars Antonio Brown, Reggie Bush, Kevin Faulk, Ted Ginn Jr., T.Y. Hilton, Deuce McAllister, and C.J. Spiller… He became the seventh Gator since 1996 to score a receiving, rushing, and passing touchdown in a career… Of those seven, only Callaway and Jacquez Green also scored a punt return touchdown in their careers…. With seven receptions against Iowa in the Outback Bowl, he recorded 89 total catches during his first two seasons in Gainesville; only Jabar Gaffney (138) and Percy Harvin (93) caught more in their first two seasons at UF since 1996… After going over 1,000 receiving yards during Florida's game at Tennessee, Callaway became the third-fastest player in program history to accomplish that milestone, doing so in just 17 games… In that game against UT, Callaway racked up 134 receiving yards on just four catches, making him one of eight players in the country and one of two SEC players in 2016 to amass 134-plus receiving yards against a Power Five opponent on four or fewer catches… In addition, the only other Gators to post 130-plus receiving yards on four or fewer catches since 1996 are Demarcus Robinson (2014 vs. Eastern Kentucky) and Andre Debose (2011 vs. Furman)… Became the fourth Gator since 2003 to log multiple games of 125-plus receiving yards in a season... Of the four, only Callaway and Dallas Baker (2006) had at least two such games against SEC opponents… Became the first Gator since 2009 with five-plus receptions and 70-plus yards in three straight games (2016 Citrus Bowl, first two games of 2016)... Notched his first-career kickoff return for a touchdown against Missouri with a 44-yard return…. With his two-punt return touchdowns in 2015 and his kickoff return in 2016, Debose (2011-14; 5), Brandon James (2006-09; 5) and Jacquez Green (1996-97; 4) are the only players with more than three kickoff/punt return touchdowns in program history… In addition, Green (1996-97; 4) is the only Gator with four return touchdowns in a two-year span where Callaway is tied with Debose and James with three during a two-year period… Named as a Third Team All-SEC wide receiver by Athlon Sports.
- 2015: Appeared in 14 games, starting 13... Named to CBS Sports First Team All-America as a punt returner... Named Freshman First Team All-America by the Sporting News and Pro Football Focus... SI.com Honorable Mention All-America... PFF First Team All-SEC... Gridiron Now Second Team All-SEC... Gridiron Now Freshman All-SEC... SEC Freshman of the Week (Tennessee) as he became the third true freshman in Gator history to record a 100-yard receiving... Hauled in five catches for a career-high 112 receiving yards against UT and caught the go-ahead 64-yard touchdown reception on fourth and 14 to give Florida the fourth-quarter comeback victory... Was the only FBS player with at least 345 punt return yards and 480 receiving yards in 2015... The third FBS player and only true freshman since 2008 to amass 435-plus punt return yards and 675-plus receiving yards in a season... Joined Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles (2009) and Central Michigan's Antonio Brown (2008) as the only underclassmen since 2008 with 400-plus punt return yards and 675-plus receiving yards in a season... Became the first true freshman in UF history and one of only six SEC true freshmen (Amari Cooper, Alshon Jeffery, Julio Jones, Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley) since 2006 to post three 100-yard receiving games... His 678 receiving yards broke UF's true freshman record previously held by Reidel Anthony (615 yards in 1994)... Returned two punts for touchdowns (LSU, Alabama)... Recorded a team-high 1,211 all-purpose yards on 69 plays averaged out to 17.6 yards per play, the fourth-highest mark in UF history and best ever by a Gator freshman (min. 60 plays).
DB Duke Dawson (5-10, 202)
- Ended his career with 48 games played, six interceptions, three INT returns for touchdowns, 23 pass breakups and 82 total tackles.
- 2017: Played and started in all 11 games… Totaled 34 tackles, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), nine pass break-ups and two tackles-for-loss… Notched that interception returned for a touchdown against Michigan… His four interceptions tied CJ Henderson for the team lead and it ranked 29th in the nation and third in the SEC... Dawson and Henderson recorded back-to-back INT return touchdowns in consecutive series against Michigan… They became the first CB tandem to accomplish that feat since Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson did so against Missouri in 2016... Earned Honorable Mention All-American honors by SB Nation… Garnered First Team All-SEC honors by the league's Coaches and Second Team All-SEC accolades by the AP and Phil Steele.
- 2016: Played 12 games played and started seven throughout the season… Missed the SEC Championship Game due to injury… Was Florida's nickel cornerback throughout the season where he recorded one interception (returned for a touchdown) and a team-high seven pass breakups… Notched that interception returned for a touchdown at Arkansas… Also totaled 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and one forced fumble on the season… Notched that forced fumble against UMASS in Florida's season opener… Named Second Team All-SEC by Pro Football Focus.
- 2015: Played in all 14 games... Totaled 10 tackles on the season and recorded a forced fumble against East Carolina.
- 2014: Played in 11 games and made one start at safety...Totaled 14 tackles and had one interception... Led the team in tackles against Vanderbilt with six... Had four tackles at Tennessee in his first career start... Intercepted his first career pass in the season opener against Eastern Michigan and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown.
DB Marcell Harris (6-0, 208)
- 2017: Declared for the NFL Draft after the season… Missed the entire season due an injury he suffered prior to fall camp.
- 2016: Played in all 13 games and started in eight at safety… Began the season splitting playing time with classmate Nick Washington at safety, but finished the season as one of Florida's leaders and its leading tackler… Started the final four games of the season and recorded key tackles in fourth-and-goal situations from Florida's one yard line (LSU, Iowa)… Totaled 73 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one sack, two interceptions, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery… Scored the first touchdown of his career on special teams at FSU on a fumbled punt; that was Florida's first such score off a muffed punted since Oct. 31 2015, when Washington recovered a fumble in the end zone against Georgia… In addition, he tallied a career-high 11 tackles at Florida State… Paced the Gators in tackles against Iowa in the Outback Bowl with nine… Recorded one sack against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game… Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
- 2015: Played in 12 games and recorded a start against East Carolina... Totaled 22 tackles and recorded a career-high five tallies against ECU.
- 2014: Played in all 12 games on the season as a key member of several special teams' units and as a reserve at safety... Totaled seven tackles on the season... Earned the Hard Hat award for his performance against Kentucky and against Georgia.
- 2013: Did not see any game action and redshirted.
Eddy Pineiro (5-11, 178)
- Connected on 29 of his last 30 field goal attempts between the end of the 2016 season and the entire 2017 campaign… Finished his career with an 88.4% (38-for-43) field goal conversion rate, which ranks first in UF history (min. 35 attempts) as he passed Bobby Raymond (87.8%, 43-of-49, 1983-84)… His 38 made field goals place him sixth all-time in Florida history… Connected on 16 straight field goals to close the 2017 season, which tied Jeff Chandler (2001) for the second longest streak in program history.
- 2017: Declared for the NFL Draft after the season… Finished the season with the best field goal percentage in the nation, 94.4% (17for-18)… Went a perfect 2-for-2 on kicks 50 yards or longer and went four-of-five on kicks between 40 and 49 yards… Made multiple field goals in five games on the season… Made a career-best five field goals against UAB… With the performance, he became the first UF player since Arden Czyzewski on Jan. 1, 1992 (Sugar Bowl vs. Notre Dame) to accomplish that feat... Overall, Pineiro's performance was the third of its kind in program history... In addition during that game against UAB, two of those field goals were beyond 50 yards, which made Pineiro the first player in UF history to hit two 50+ field goals in a game… Was the Gators' primary kickoff specialist, netting 64.04 yards per kickoff… Had a touchback percentage of 78%, which ranked fourth in the country… Led the Gators in scoring with 75 points… Named a First Team All-American by The Athletic, Second Team All-American by SB Nation, Third Team All-American by the AP and Fourth Team All-American accolades by Phil Steele… Garnered Second Team All-SEC honors by the AP, Phil Steele and the league's coaches.
- 2016: Garnered Second Team All-SEC honors by Pro Football Focus and Athlon Sports… Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after hitting three field goals, including two 30-plus yarders, in UF's win at LSU… Earned ESPN All-Bowl Team honors after helping the Gators to a win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl as he hit three field goals, including two 40-plus yarders in that contest… Finished the season with an 84.0 field goals made percentage by placing 21 of 25 field goals through the uprights, including going a perfect 3-for-3 on kicks 50 yards or longer and made multiple field goals in seven games on the season… Made 11 field goals of 40-plus yards, which was the most by a UF kicker in a season since 1996... Made two 54-yard field goals, which is tied for sixth-longest in school history... In his UF debut against UMass, he went three-for-three with all three attempts from over 40 yards… Became the first UF kicker since Matt Leach (Nov. 29, 2003 vs. FSU) to make three field goals of 40-plus yards in a game... Was also the Gators' primary kick-off specialist, netting an FBS-best 64.8-yard average and 48 touchbacks (ranked 15th in the country) on the season… Tied for third nationally with 1.85 field goals made per game… Finished third in the SEC with 21 made field goals… Led the Gators in scoring during the season with 95 points.
P Johnny Townsend (6-1, 202)
- Became Florida's all-time leading punter in program history with 11,090 yards and 240 total punts as he passed Eric Wilbur (9,900 yards & 231 punts) who held each record since 2006... Moved into SEC history as he finished his career fifth all-time in punting yards and tied for ninth in punts... Set a new career punting average of 46.2 yards, which ranks first in SEC lore… Recorded 11 punts of over 60 yards throughout his career, which is the most by a Gator in records dating back to 1996… His average as a senior in 2017 (47.5) ranked second all-time in UF history behind his own average of 47.9 yards, which he set in 2016… Led the nation and the SEC in punting yardage during his junior and senior seasons.
- 2017: Finished the season averaging 47.5 yards as he totaled 3,043 yards on 64 punts... Booted a career-long punt of 70 yards against Georgia and recorded 27 punts of over 50 yards throughout the season, including six over 60 yards... Notched 27 punts inside the 20-yard line during the season… His average of 54.4 yards per punt (7-for-381) against Georgia set a UF program for the highest average in a game (min. 7 punts)… Earned Ray Guy Punter of the Week honors after he tallied five punts for 246 yards (49.2 average) against LSU game… Named a Second Team All-American by CBS Sports, AP, Sporting News and SB Nation… Picked up Fourth Team All-American honors by Phil Steele… Picked as a Sports Illustrated All-American… Garnered First Team All-SEC honors by the AP and second team accolades by the league's coaches and Phil Steele… Chosen as an SEC Community Service Team member and Campbell Trophy Semifinalist… Garnered Second Team accolades from the SENIOR CLASS Award… Named a Midseason All-American by Sporting News, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated… Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
- 2016: Garnered First and Second Team… All-America accolades by CBS Sports and Fox Sports, respectively… Tabbed as a First Team All-SEC performer by ESPN and Gridiron Now… Selected as a Second Team All-SEC punter by the leagues' Coaches, AP and Athlon Sports… One of 10 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists… Ranked first in the nation with a 47.9 yard average on 64 punts for the season… Had 29 punts of 50+ yards and 27 punts inside the 20 yard line… Named the Ray Guy Punter of the Week after his performance at Vanderbilt, which included a 51.9 yard average on seven punts with five inside the 20 yard line and a long of 62 yards… Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
- 2015: Appeared in all 14 games...Named First Team All-SEC by ESPN.com and Gridiron Now... Named Second team All-SEC by Coaches, AP and Athlon... One of 10 Ray Guy Award semifinalists... Tallied 83 punts for an average of 45.4 yards, which ranked third in the country and first in the conference in net punting... Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll.
- 2014: Did not see any game action and redshirted... Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
- 2013: Selected to the SEC All-Freshmen team by the league's coaches... Played in the final six games of the season... He averaged 42.0 yards per punt on the season, with 8 fair caught, 6 inside of the 20, 5 touchbacks and totaled 5 over 50 yards... Took over the punting duties beginning with the game at Missouri, where he averaged 45.6 yards over 8 punts in his collegiate debut... Named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
Florida's NFL Combine Invites – 2016-17
*Indicates players selected in the NFL Draft
2018 (6)
DL Taven Bryan
WR Antonio Callaway
DB Duke Dawson
DB Marcell Harris
K Eddy Pineiro
P Johnny Townsend
2017 (8)
LB Alex Anzalone*
DL Caleb Brantley*
DL Bryan Cox, Jr.
LB Jarrad Davis*
S Marcus Maye*
OL David Sharpe*
CB Teez Tabor*
CB Quincy Wilson*
2016 (14)
DL Jonathan Bullard*
CB Vernon Hargreaves III*
DL Alex McCalister*
TE Jake McGee
LB Antonio Morrison*
DB Keanu Neal*
WR Demarcus Robinson*
RB Kelvin Taylor*
Players Mentioned
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WR
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