Two Gators Declare For NFL Draft
Monday, January 8, 2001 | Football
Walker was a second-team All-American in 2000 and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy which is awarded to the SEC's best blocker in a vote of the league's coaches. Walker was a two-time All-SEC pick, a first-team Freshman All-American in 1998 and a member of the SEC's Academic Honor Roll. The Meridian, Miss. native played in 36 regular season games and made 31 starts.
Warren was a first-team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches in 2000 and was named to the All-SEC second team by the Associated Press. Warren was named second-team All-SEC by both the AP and the coaches in 1999. The native of Raiford, Fla. received the Gene Ellenson Award as UF's most inspirational player for 1999. Warren served as one of UF's five team captains in 2000. Warren made 76 tackles this year and ranked second on the team with his 36.5 "Big Plays."
Walker and Warren become the 11th and 12th players in UF history to leave school early for the NFL Draft. Seven of the previous 10 have been selected in the first round and all have been taken in the fourth round or higher.
The following is a statement from each...
Walker: "I've decided to forgo my senior year and declare for the NFL Draft. I appreciate everything I have received from the University of Florida, coach Spurrier and the whole coaching staff, the trainers, (equipment manager) Tim Sain and his whole group too. I just feel that it's my time and I would like to thank them all. I'm really excited about it. I'm fulfilling my dream and not a lot of people have an opportunity to do that. I haven't had many injuries and why not go out on top.
"I've grown a lot since I've stepped on this campus. That's something I needed to do and that's the biggest thing I'll take from here; the transition from me growing to become a man. I'll always remember my class of '97 brothers that I came in with, just hanging out with my friends. I'm looking forward to going on, being at the highest level you can get to and going against the best players in the world. Hopefully I'll fit in right away. I don't care what team takes me. My childhood team is San Francisco but I don't have a leaning toward anyway."
Warren: "First and foremost I would like to thank the University of Florida for recruiting me and giving me an opportunity to come and play here, in particular coach Spurrier and especially coach Broadway. I wish them the best of luck in the future. I'll be rooting for them. I'm real excited about the decision. It was a hard one to make but in the end I thought it was the right one to make. It came down to finances and supporting my family. They've supported me for 22 years and it's time for me to give back. It was one of my dreams growing up and now it's a chance for a dream to come true.
"I'll remember all my teammates and the friends that I've made and the relationships that I've built with the coaching staff and other members of the athletic department. One of my favorite memories was winning that SEC Championship back in December. That is one of the moments that I'll remember the most and just the memories of the fellowship of this team and all the friends that I made. That will stick with me the most."
GATORS LEAVING EARLY FOR THE NFL DRAFT
Player - Draft Year Selection RB Emmitt Smith - 1990 1st round to Dallas WR Jack Jackson - 1995 4th round to Chicago WR Ike Hilliard - 1997 1st round to NY Giants WR Reidel Anthony - 1997 1st round to Tampa Bay OT Mo Collins - 1998 1st round to Oakland WR Jacquez Green - 1998 2nd round to Tampa Bay DE Jevon Kearse - 1999 1st round to Tennessee DT Reggie McGrew - 1999 1st round to San Francisco WR Travis Taylor - 2000 1st round to Baltimore WR Darrell Jackson - 2000 3rd round to Seattle OT Kenyatta Walker - 2001 DT Gerard Warren - 2001
