Minnesota Vikings Select Sharrif Floyd 23rd Overall in 2013 NFL Draft
Friday, April 26, 2013 | Football
Former Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 23rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Floyd becomes the highest Gator drafted since offensive lineman Mike Pouncey was taken 15th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Floyd, who declared for the draft after his junior season at UF, becomes the 44th former Florida player to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. UF has had a player picked in the first round in 32 drafts, fifth-most among all schools nationally. Floyd joins a long line of UF defensive linemen selected in the NFL Draft, as the Orange and Blue have seen 16 D-lineman picked since 2000.
Minnesota has drafted 11 Gators, most recently selecting Percy Harvin in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Vikings currently do not have any former UF players on their roster.
Floyd was the first defensive lineman at Florida to earn All-America honors since 2001, being named a first-team All-American by Sporting News in 2012. He was selected to the first-team All-SEC by the AP, Coaches, and Phil Steele and finished his UF career with 115 tackles, 26.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks, a pass breakup, three blocked field goals and a forced fumble. His three career kick/punt blocks is tied for fifth in school history. Floyd recorded 46 tackles in the 2012 season, leading the team with 13.0 TFL.
Gators in the 2013 NFL Draft
DL Sharrif Floyd, Minnesota Vikings – 1st Round, 23rd Overall
