Jon Bullard performs position drills at last week's Gators Pro Day. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath for UAA)
Bullard Used NFL Critiques to Boost Stock in Draft
Tuesday, March 29, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
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Gators defensive lineman was motivated to win over critics as a senior
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The mock drafts have him all over the board. He might go in the first round, perhaps the second, some say the third.
Wherever he goes a month from today in an NFL Draft overloaded with defensive line talent, Jonathan Bullard is a better player today than a year ago when he flirted with the idea of leaving school early.
Instead, Bullard returned for his senior year and had the best season of his career. Much of his drive over the past year originated from what NFL personnel told Bullard after his junior season.
"When the NFL comes and tells you you're not good enough to be what you want to do for the rest of your life, that puts a chip on your shoulder,'' Bullard said at Florida's Pro Day. "So I used that chip."
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Bullard emerged as one of the nation's top defensive linemen in 2015 and earned First Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press. He had a career-high 66 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Bullard was dominant at times -- and a nuisance always -- for opposing offensive lines. He also played a big role in the Gators winning the SEC East in head coach Jim McElwain's first season.
Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard works out at UF's Pro Day. (Photo: Madison Schultz for UAA)"What is there to say? The guy's a great player,'' McElwain said. "Obviously had a great year for us and I think really helped himself by coming back."
As he prepares for next month's draft, which is April 28 in Chicago, Bullard is busy meeting with teams and staying in shape for individual workouts. He participated in position drills at Pro Day, skipping the events such as the 40-yard dash he did at the NFL combine in February (4.93 seconds).
In his latest mock draft for ESPN.com, draft analyst Todd McShay has Bullard going to Detroit in the second round (46th overall pick). McShay considers Bullard's versatility his strength.
"Bullard has experience playing inside and outside along the D-line,'' he wrote in his mock draft. "He lacks elite physical tools, but he grows on you the more tape you watch. He's a high-motor player."
Meanwhile, in the latest mock draft from WalterFootball.com, a website devoted primarily to scouting and draft analysis, Bullard is headed to Seattle in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick.
If Bullard goes in the first round, it will be the fourth consecutive draft the Gators have had defensive lineman as a first-round pick: (Sharrif Floyd, 2013; Dominique Easley, 2014; Dante Fowler, 2015).
Bullard is trying to stay away from projections and focus on what he can control.
"Every team has their opinion,'' he said. "I'm going to have some first-round grades, some second-, maybe third-round grades. It just takes one team to like you."
According to a sampling of online scouting reports on Bullard, the consensus seems to be he is best suited to play defensive tackle at the three-technique spot (lined up on outside shoulder of guard) in the NFL. At UF he alternated between defensive tackle and defensive end.
Bullard's versatility has been a focal point in meetings with teams.
"It's selling itself,'' he said. "Every team I've met with has talked about it or asked me how I learned every position. They just did a good job of playing me two years outside, two years inside."
Renowned draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. considers this draft full of potential future stars on the defensive line.
"It's a deep position,'' Kiper said on his most recent podcast. "It's the best it's been in a long, long time. There's going to be some lost in the shuffle."
Bullard, who came to UF after starring at Crest Senior High in Shelby, N.C., said he doesn't plan to attend the draft considering his uncertain status as a first-round pick.
"I don't want to be that guy sitting there,'' he said.
Still, first round, second round or later, Bullard has a future in the NFL.
A year ago scouts told him he wasn't ready. He then went out and proved he was.
"I'm going to be drafted so long as I stay healthy from here,'' he said. "Either way it goes, I'm going to smile from ear to ear when I hear my name."
