Former UF linebacker Brandon Spikes (Shelby, N.C.) has been selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He is the sixth Gator picked in this week's draft.
Spikes is the first UF linebacker selected since Brandon Siler was a seventh-round choice by the San Diego Chargers in 2007 and the highest-drafted Gator linebacker since Jevon Kearse was a first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans back in 1999.
Spikes was the Chevrolet National Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and two-time first-team All-American (2008 and 2009) and was a finalist for the Nagurski Award (2008), Butkus Award (2009) and Bednarik Award (2009).
Following two rounds of the NFL Draft, the Gators have had a nation's-best and school-record six players drafted. No other school has had more than four players drafted so far in this year's draft (Oklahoma and Alabama).
Career Bio: Brandon Spikes GatorZone.com Bio
NFL.com Video: First Draft: Brandon Spikes
Gator 2010 Draftees
CB Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns – 1st Round, 7th Overall
C Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers – 1st Round, 18th Overall
QB Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos – 1st Round, 25th Overall
DE Jermaine Cunningham, New England Patriots – 2nd Round, 53rd Overall
DE Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals – 2nd Round, 54th Overall
LB Brandon Spikes, New England Patriots – 2nd Round, 62nd Overall
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