The New York Giants selected Gators receiver Kadarius Toney in Thursday night's NFL Draft. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Giants Pick Gators WR Kadarius Toney 20th Overall
Thursday, April 29, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Kadarius Toney was ready for whatever happened Thursday night during the NFL Draft.
At his draft party, he was stocked with hats of all 32 teams on a table. He grabbed the New York Giants hat and put it on when they made him the 20th overall pick. Toney joined tight end Kyle Pitts as Florida's first-round picks Thursday. It's the first time the Gators have produced two offensive skill-position players in the top 20 picks since 1996 when receiver Ike Hilliard went seventh overall to the Giants and the Bucs selected receiver Reidel Anthony with the 16th overall pick.
"He's just a playmaker. The New York Giants need to add a playmaker on offense,'' ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said on the draft telecast. "It takes several people to take him down."
Toney elevated his status in the draft with a strong senior season and impressive performance at UF's Pro Day last month. He was projected to go anywhere from late in the first round to early in the second round.
Longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said if Toney stays healthy, he can be a game-changer for a Giants offense that struggled in 2020.
"He's a super tough kid. He's an aggressive player,'' Kiper said. "Kadarius Toney is a weapon."
An electric player with the ball in his hands throughout his career, Toney blossomed as a receiver as a senior. He started 11 games and led the Gators in receptions (70) and receiving yards (984).
Toney caught a career-high 10 touchdown passes and teamed Pitts (12) and receiver Trevon Grimes (9) to make Florida the only team in the country with three players who had eight or more touchdown receptions last season. Toney opted out of the Cotton Bowl to prepare for the draft.
Toney starred at quarterback in high school and was named Class 6A All-State at Blount High in Mobile, Ala., as a senior. He started his college career as a running back but moved to receiver as a sophomore and continued to develop at the position under UF receivers coach Billy Gonzales.
"He keeps really erasing every question people have about him everywhere he goes," Gators coach Dan Mullen said at Pro Day. "I still think his receiver skills are developing. I still think he has a huge future. He's just really scratching the surface right now."
Toney finished his career with 120 receptions for 1,590 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 580 rushing yards and two scores.
At his draft party, he was stocked with hats of all 32 teams on a table. He grabbed the New York Giants hat and put it on when they made him the 20th overall pick. Toney joined tight end Kyle Pitts as Florida's first-round picks Thursday. It's the first time the Gators have produced two offensive skill-position players in the top 20 picks since 1996 when receiver Ike Hilliard went seventh overall to the Giants and the Bucs selected receiver Reidel Anthony with the 16th overall pick.
"He's just a playmaker. The New York Giants need to add a playmaker on offense,'' ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said on the draft telecast. "It takes several people to take him down."
Welcome to Big Blue, Kadarius Toney!
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 30, 2021
📰: https://t.co/adBaI41Xxg pic.twitter.com/TCL4j7BtDQ
Toney elevated his status in the draft with a strong senior season and impressive performance at UF's Pro Day last month. He was projected to go anywhere from late in the first round to early in the second round.
Longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said if Toney stays healthy, he can be a game-changer for a Giants offense that struggled in 2020.
"He's a super tough kid. He's an aggressive player,'' Kiper said. "Kadarius Toney is a weapon."
An electric player with the ball in his hands throughout his career, Toney blossomed as a receiver as a senior. He started 11 games and led the Gators in receptions (70) and receiving yards (984).
Toney caught a career-high 10 touchdown passes and teamed Pitts (12) and receiver Trevon Grimes (9) to make Florida the only team in the country with three players who had eight or more touchdown receptions last season. Toney opted out of the Cotton Bowl to prepare for the draft.
Honored to join the Big Blue. New York, let's get after it 🔥Check out my #PaniniInstant card here #WhoDoYouCollect #RatedRookie #NFLDraft @Giants https://t.co/sfd1S4zMQv pic.twitter.com/W2LuVIypkb
— Kadarius Toney (@0fficialC2N) April 30, 2021
Toney starred at quarterback in high school and was named Class 6A All-State at Blount High in Mobile, Ala., as a senior. He started his college career as a running back but moved to receiver as a sophomore and continued to develop at the position under UF receivers coach Billy Gonzales.
"He keeps really erasing every question people have about him everywhere he goes," Gators coach Dan Mullen said at Pro Day. "I still think his receiver skills are developing. I still think he has a huge future. He's just really scratching the surface right now."
Toney finished his career with 120 receptions for 1,590 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 580 rushing yards and two scores.
.@Giants fans - get ready for @0fficialC2N on @XGames mode! #NFLDraft #GoGators pic.twitter.com/zKunGpKbNn
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) April 30, 2021
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