Florida Ties School Record with Three First-Round Draft Picks
Friday, April 23, 2010 | Football
The Florida Gators tied a school record, set in 1989, with three first-round selections in the 2010 NFL Draft. The NFL held the first round of its annual selection meeting at Radio City Music Hall in New York City tonight.
The Gators have now had a first-round selection in each of the past four drafts, one of only four schools in the nation to accomplish that feat.
Cornerback Joe Haden (Ft. Washington, Md.) was the first Gator off the board, going seventh overall to the Cleveland Browns, becoming the 40th UF player all-time taken in the draft's first round. Haden is the third-highest selection of a UF defensive player in draft history and the highest Florida cornerback ever taken.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made center Maurkice Pouncey (Lakeland, Fla.) the 18th-overall choice of the draft, selecting the 2009 Rimington Trophy winner higher than any UF center has been taken. Pouncey is the fifth Florida offensive lineman to be taken in the first round in draft history.
With Pouncey's selection, the Gators have now had a player at every offensive and defensive position taken in one of the first two rounds of and NFL Draft.
Quarterback Tim Tebow (Jacksonville, Fla.) rounded out the Gator trio, heading to the Denver Broncos with the 25th pick in the draft. Tebow became the fourth UF quarterback taken in the first round in school history.
UF's total of seven first-round draft picks over the past four drafts is tied for the top total in the nation:
1. Florida – 7
USC – 7
3. Tennessee – 6
LSU – 6
5. Ohio State – 5
Oklahoma – 5
7. Miami – 4
Cal – 4
Texas – 4
The draft continues Friday at 6:30 p.m. when the second and third rounds will be conducted. Rounds four through seven will take place Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
-UF-
