Now Down TWO Juniors to the League

[DRU2012]

Just in: Junior Jaquai Polite declares for the NFL draft. Not exactly a shock--he's rated high on all the so-called experts' mock drafts--but that means that along with the graduating Seniors (in many cases the best of "what's left" of a far-from-impressive-string of recruiting efforts on the parts of our PREVIOUS two Head Coaches), we are losing far and away the two best of our Juniors on defense.
Now, we DO have a LOT of good, potentially great defensive players ready to step up, take their places on what will in the not distant future be a formidable Gator Defense, and this makes our haul in early signing all the more valuable and well-timed, but there is work to do between now and the early-2019 season, obviously.
We do have the coaches, as I'm saying the talent, and all-in-all the PROGRAMS to pull it together and be where we will NEED to be ON TIME--but it all bears watching in thecoming months...AND our work is not over out on the recruiting trail before NSD, either.

 

[Leakfan12]

Can't blame him though I think this upcoming draft is pass rusher heavy.

 

[DRU2012]

Oh, I don't BLAME him--in fact, I personally EXPECTED it, kinda "added him on" in my head whenever announcers have referred to us "only losing ONE Junior to declaring for the coming NFL draft".
Until the day comes that players are somehow fairly compensated by inclusion in the sharing of the huge profits they generate for their schools (at the very LEAST a share of some contractually negotiated fund, deferred until their graduation or being drafted and signed by a professional team), I will tend to support all players' right to pursue their future livelihood. The present system is unfair--and in fact downright UNAMERICAN! (IMHO)

 

[DRU2012]

...Overall, it might take the first few games for our D-to-BE to properly GEL and our "future stars" to begin to emerge, but WE WILL BE OK.
(The only worisome part is that THAT includes an opening game against "the EEEEWWW", which I ALWAYS want to see us dominate if we can. I despise, will ALWAYS HATE that group of spoiled lobotomites down south. If I had MY way, we'd stick with the decision the Regents made all those decades back (during MY time in Gainesville, and for DAMN GOOD REASON) TO SIMPLY NOT PLAY THEM, EVER AGAIN. Let 'em flounder around against the other low-enrollment mediocrities they can pound their chests about beating.)

 

[Escambia94]

Jachai Polite is ranked #17 in this draft, and Jawaan Taylor is #23. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a 2nd to 4th round pick unless his measureables stack up on pro day or the Combine.

 

[DRU2012]

I have always felt that Gardiner-Thompson was possibly making a mistake leaving early--BECAUSE he was projected a "MIDDLE-rounder who would more likely IMPROVE that standing with another fine performance in his Senior year (and that went DOUBLE after his double-INT performance in Atlanta), BUT: I assumed that some specific personal financial considerations may have been driving his early and clear announced-decision to put his name into the draft, and as I say, I am a defender of players' rights in this area and fully support maximizing their flexibility and maneuverabiloty when it comes to their future earning abilities.
So whatever EITHER player (or any OTHER Gator, for that matter ) decides to do regarding their futures, whatever EITHER decides to do, in theory at least they'll EACH have my full support no matter what. I still think Chauncey ought to take the opportunity to reconsider/rethink his course (more than ever I sense the Florida program will be making more waves, attracting still more general attention in addition to whatever growth will/would have accrued for him at Florida anyway...More than one Senior has commented on a certain "regret" that as it is they now WOULDN'T get the chance to put in another season in what was likely to be an exciting, even PIVOTAL season in UF's impending rise under Mullen--and after all, this can only benefit future graduates as they move on out and UP...).

 

[Leakfan12]

Jachai Polite is ranked #17 in this draft, and Jawaan Taylor is #23. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a 2nd to 4th round pick unless his measureables stack up on pro day or the Combine.

Is Taylor a junior? He should go into the draft.

 

[Escambia94]

Jawaan Taylor:
http://www.gatorenvy.com/threads/jr-ol-jawaan-taylor-to-enter-the-nfl-draft.19954/

Jachai Polite:
http://www.gatorenvy.com/threads/jr-de-jachai-polite-will-enter-the-2019-nfl-draft.19962/