Kaiir Elam performs a drill during Florida's Pro Day on Monday afternoon. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Gators Pro Day: Elam Confident In Decision, Davis Shines, More Tidbits
Monday, March 28, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When the season ended and Kaiir Elam sat down with his parents to discuss his future, he made a list of pros and cons on whether to play one more season at Florida or enter the NFL Draft.
Elam said he didn't accomplish everything he wanted with the Gators, but once his list was complete, he decided that making himself available in the draft was the smart play.
"Coach Napier made it hard for me," Elam said following his Pro Day workout on Monday. "I felt like I had a way lot more to prove."
First-year Gators coach Billy Napier undoubtedly would have welcomed Elam back to anchor the secondary as a shut-down cornerback, but Elam's draft stock was too much to overcome. Elam is projected as a late first-round, early second-round pick according to most mock drafts.
"I think I made the right decision,'' he said.
Elam impressed scouts at the NFL Combine by running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. He again performed well on Monday, leaping 37.5 inches in the vertical jump and running the 20-yard shuttle in 4.21 seconds. Both measurements are unofficial.
CB Kaiir Elam going through the W drill, showing off his speed turn at the end.
With an official 4.39 40, unofficial 37.5-inch vert and 4.21 pro shuttle, I think he'll go first round in April. pic.twitter.com/2ZIX3ZCFT7
The 6-foot-1.5, 191-pound Elam has the tools to be a standout at the next level. He is an excellent coverage corner that teams often threw away from in his three seasons at UF. Elam said he has workouts set up with about eight teams over the next month as the April 28 draft approaches.
While he didn't have a lot to prove Monday in front of personnel from 28 of the 32 NFL teams, Elam said he didn't want to miss an opportunity to reunite with his former teammates. Since Florida's season ended, Elam has trained for the draft at XPE Sports in Fort Lauderdale, not far from his home in Riviera Beach.
"I just wanted to show my athleticism," Elam said. "But first and foremost, I just wanted to be out here with my guys, my brothers, strap it up one last time. So that's really why I wanted to come out here and just make sure I motivated those guys and just help them out as much as I could."
Elam noticed the culture change in the UF program over the past four months since Napier took over the program. In talking to his former teammates, Elam said he expects the Gators to rebound quickly from their 6-7 season in 2021.
"They love Coach Napier. He's a player's coach,'' Elam said. "Big on development, a lot more structure, but they love him."
Elam's main goal heading into the draft is to continue to take care of his body and be in peak shape for his team workouts. He is getting acupuncture twice a week and leaning on his father, former NFL defensive back Abram Elam, for direction during the draft process.
"Focused on just self-improvement every single day, honestly," Elam said. "Trying to learn as much as I can from my coaches and my dad and my advisor and my team. I'm just trying to prove myself."
CARTER GEARS UP
The same attributes that made defensive lineman Zachary Carter an important piece for the Gators – his ability to play inside or outside on the defensive line – have him projected as a mid-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Carter spent the majority of Monday's Pro Day working out under the instruction of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, who played inside and outside during his 12-year NFL career.
Carter was pleased with his showing.
Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter in action at Pro Day. (Photo: Jordan McKendrick/UAA Communications)
"I feel like I showed teams I'm big and I'm athletic,'' he said. "I think I did great."
A 6-foot-5, 285-pound four-star recruit at Florida, Carter started two seasons for the Gators and finished had 31 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and one forced fumble as a senior.
He improved throughout his college career and while the Gators struggled in his final season, Carter said he considers himself fortunate to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing in the NFL. He plans to spend the draft with his family in Tampa.
"I know a lot of guys would love to be in my shoes," he said.
Carter said he has plans to visit with several teams prior to the draft, including Jacksonville, Seattle, New Orleans, Atlanta, Buffalo and San Francisco.
DAVIS SHINES
Running back Malik Davis runs the 40-yard dash at Gators Pro Day. (Photo: Jordan McKendrick/UAA Communications)
Running back Malik Davis turned in a strong performance at Pro Day, posting an unofficial 39.5-inch jump in the vertical leap and a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump.
Davis' vertical jump would have registered as the second-best at the NFL Combine behind the 40-inch jump posted by Iowa State's Breece Hall.
Davis has spent the past three months in California training with other draft hopefuls and looked in prime condition on Monday. Davis' UF career was hampered by injuries, but the explosive runner with breakaway speed said he is fully healthy entering the draft.
"The work was put in," Davis said. "I just came out here and I put it all on the line."
EXTRA POINTS
Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson participated in Pro Day, throwing passes to the players and handing off to the running backs in certain drills … Davis posted the best time in the 40-yard dash Monday, finishing in an unofficial 4.71 seconds on his first attempt … Offensive lineman Jean Delance passed the eye test Monday. Delance, who played through injuries last season, said he has trimmed down and added 20 pounds of muscle ... Running back Dameon Pierce worked out Monday but did not address the media ... Several current Gators stopped by to watch Pro Day, including defensive back Trey Dean III, linebackers Brenton Cox Jr. and Chief Borders, and receiver Justin Shorter ... Former Gators director of player personnel Drew Hughes, who is now player personnel coordinator for the Jaguars, scouted the event. TOPICAL TWITTER
