Four Gators Selected on First Day of NFL Draft
Sunday, April 25, 2004 | Football
Former University of Florida tight end Ben Troupe, defensive back Keiwan Ratliff, offensive tackle Max Starks and safety Guss Scott were selected on the opening day of the 2004 NFL Draft. Troupe became the 40th overall choice in the second round on Saturday as he was taken by the Tennessee Titans. Ratliff was taken in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals as the 49th overall choice. Starks was chosen at the 75th overall pick in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Scott was chosen in the third round by the New England Patriots as the 95th overall pick.
Troupe completed his collegiate career with 20 starts in 39 games. He had 64 pass receptions for 958 yards (14.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns. As a senior, he started in all 13 games and had 39 receptions to tie for the best total on the squad. He had 638 receiving yards and tied for the tops with five touchdowns, both of which led the Gators. Troupe was the first tight end to lead UF in touchdown receptions since 1980. He was one of three finalists for the 2003 John Mackey Award, an honor given to the nation's top TE. He was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News and SI.com. In addition, he was chosen an All-SEC Coaches' first team honoree.
Ratliff played in 49 games, including 27 starts during his collegiate career. He was a finalist for the Thorpe Award and set Florida's single season interception record with nine in 2003. He holds the UF record for punt return yards with 860, surpassing Jacquez Green's 766 yards from 1995-97. In his career, he recorded 133 tackles (106 solo) with 41 “Big Plays” (seven tackles behind the line, two QB sacks, three forced fumbles, 17 pass breakups and 12 interceptions). He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News and a First-Team All-American by The Sporting News, Walter Camp, Football Writers Association, SI.com, and Rivals.com. Additionally, he was named to the First-Team All-SEC by both the coaches and Associated Press.
Starks played in 43 games, with 36 starts, for 2,698 plays during his career. He was a Coaches' All-SEC first team selection and an All-SEC Offense honoree by CollegeFootball.com. He was named UF's Offensive Lineman of the Week twice, Most Physical Lineman twice and had the most knock downs in a game four times. In addition, he was a member of the SEC Good Works Team. His father, Ross Browner, was a two-time (1976, 1977) All-American defensive lineman at Notre Dame and was the recipient of the 1976 Outland Trophy and the 1977 Lombardi Trophy. Browner also placed fifth in the 1977 Heisman Trophy balloting and was a first-round selection in the 1978 NFL Draft by Cincinnati. In total, six of Starks' relatives have played in the NFL
Scott played in 49 games over his career, including 28 starts. He recorded 310 tackles with 63 “Big Plays” including 25 pass breakups, 12.5 tackles behind the line, 7.5 QB sacks, 11 forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered and four interceptions in his career. In 2003, he led the SEC with five forced fumbles and was tied for third on the team with two interceptions. Also in his senior season, he ranked second on the team with nine pass breakups and led the team with 1,084 plays.
The NFL Draft continues on Sunday with rounds four through seven.
