Tag: O’Cyrus Torrence

Florida offers former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun DB in transfer portal

He might not fit the Gators’ immediate needs but Napier might be able to snag another former Cajun from the transfer portal.

When Florida hired Billy Napier to take over the football program in November of 2021, the new head coach brought with him a pair of studs from the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns through the transfer portal who were critical to the Gators’ gridiron efforts during the 2022 season.

Between running back [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag] along with offensive lineman and second-round NFL draft pick [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], the Orange and Blue benefitted greatly from that talent pipeline. It appears that connection could once again bear fruit as Napier and Co. recently offered defensive back [autotag]Trenayvian Amos[/autotag], a rising redshirt junior who saw significant playing time during his three years in the bayou.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 197-pound defender recorded 59 total tackles (46 solo, 13 assisted), including 2.5 for a loss, an interception, a forced fumble and 13 passes defended over 30 collegiate games. Amos saw his production increase meteorically in 2022, amassing 26 solo and nine assisted tackles (including one for a loss) plus eight passes defended.

After tweeting that he had entered the portal on Monday night, the former Ragin Cajun quickly received scholarship offers from the Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Michigan State Spartans and Ole Miss Rebels. While Napier has mentioned his desire to bolster the defensive backfield, it remains to be seen if Amos’ experience on the outside fills the role when the team is looking more for someone at the safety position.

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Buffalo Bills sign Florida OT Richard Gouraige as UDFA

The Buffalo Bills like bringing in former Florida Gators, and offensive tackle Richard Gouraige is the latest to join the team as an undrafted free agent.

After the draft concluded on Sunday, undrafted players were free to sign with NFL teams, and former Florida offensive tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills.

Gouraige will join one of his fellow former Florida offensive linemen in Buffalo as the Bills drafted offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] in the second round. They also picked wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] in the fifth round and have cornerback [autotag]Kaiir Elam[/autotag] from the 2022 draft.

The Bills seem to prefer bringing in former Gators, and Gouraige was signed within an hour of the draft wrapping up. There’s no guarantee he makes the team next season, but it’s a good sign that the Bills were so quick to bring him in.

He spent five years with Florida, starting 42 games for the Gators, mostly at left tackle. He could end up moving back to the interior in the pros, which makes sense given his high run-blocking grades.

Gouraige was the first undrafted free agent off the board for Florida after six selections in the 2023 draft.

The Indianapolis Colts selected quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] with the fourth overall pick. Defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. (Chicago) and Torrence came off the board in the second round. Linebackers [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] (Jacksonville) and [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] (Las Vegas) went in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively.

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Buffalo Bills select Justin Shorter in 5th round of 2023 NFL draft

Justin Shorter is headed to Buffalo! The former Gator will reunite with his Florida teammate O’Cyrus Torrence to play for the Bills after being drafted in the fifth round.

The Buffalo Bills drafted wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] with the 150th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Shorter is the second Florida Gator selected by Buffalo in this draft after the Bills used their second-round pick to draft offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag]. They also took cornerback [autotag]Kaiir Elam[/autotag] in the first round of last year’s draft.

The former Florida receiver will join a wide receiver room that features some of the nation’s best. Stefon Diggs is the No. 1 pass catcher on the team and former UCF receiver Gabe Davis is a strong second option for Josh Allen, who is one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

Shorter joined the Gators as a transfer in 2020 after spending two years with Penn State. Once [autotag]Kadarius Toney[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Pitts[/autotag] moved on from the program, he stepped into a starting and more prominent role with the team.

In his final year of collegiate play, Shorter hauled in 29 receptions for 577 yards and two touchdowns. He start all nine games he played in while healthy. He finished with 1,395 career receiving yards and eight touchdowns over 34 games.

Florida has now had five players selected in the 2023 NFL draft. Quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] came off the board first at pick No. 4 overall to Indianapolis, and [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. (Chicago) and O’Cyrus Torrence (Buffalo) were Day 2 selections. [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] was the first player selected on Saturday at No. 121 overall to Jacksonville.

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Jacksonville Jaguars select LB Ventrell Miller in 4th Round

This sixth-year senior finally heard his name called after years of tears and toil.

Former Florida linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 121 pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday. The 6-foot, 221-pound defender is the fourth Gator selected in the draft so far, joining quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], respectively.

The sixth-year senior earned his bachelor’s degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences in the Fall of 2022 to wrap up a solid but injury-marred collegiate career with the Orange and Blue. Miller was suspended during his freshman year in 2017 but managed to become a significant presence on the field from 2018-20. The injury bug struck in 2021 limiting him to just two games but he returned for 11 matchups in 2022.

The Lakeland, Florida, product amassed 238 total tackles (124 solo, 114 assisted) while logging 7.5 sacks, a pair of forced and recovered fumbles, and an interception over 43 games played for the Gators. The last time the Jaguars selected a Florida product in the draft was in 2020 when they selected cornerback [autotag]CJ Henderson[/autotag] with the ninth pick overall in the first round.

The final day of the NFL draft continues on Saturday afternoon starting and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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College Sports Wire’s take on Florida’s players picked in NFL draft 2nd round

Here’s College Sports Wire’s analysis of the Gervon Dexter and O’Cyrus Torrence selections.

The first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft are said and down with three former Florida Gators already taken in the annual amateur election process. First off the board was quarterback Anthony Richardson who was selected on Thursday night by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick — highest since Kyle Pitts in 2021 — in the 2023 NFL draft, continuing the university’s all-time streak of successfully sending players to the draft.

On the following day, two more erstwhile members of the Orange and Blue heard their names called in the late second round. College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn took a look at both the second- and third-round results on Friday night for his instant analysis.

Here is what Conn had to offer on the first Gator taken on Friday night — [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag] by the Chicago Bears in a pick acquired via a trade with the Baltimore Ravens at No. 53 overall.

The Bears are finally getting some help on the interior of the defense. Dexter can plug up the interior of the offensive line, allowing linebackers to flow to the ball. Dexter will make his fair share of splash plays.

Here is a look at what Conn thinks about the second Florida alumnus taken off the board — [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] by the Buffalo Bills at No. 59 overall.

The Bills Mafia add an absolute mauler on the interior with O’Cyrus Torrence. He will open holes for the running game.

The NFL draft concludes on Saturday afternoon starting at noon p.m. EDT and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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USA TODAY Sports analyzes both Florida players picks in NFL draft 2nd round

Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ analysis of the Gervon Dexter and O’Cyrus Torrence selections.

The first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft are in the rearview mirror, and so far, three former Florida Gators were taken in the annual amateur election process. First off the board was quarterback Anthony Richardson who was selected on Thursday night by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick — highest since Kyle Pitts in 2021 — in the 2023 NFL draft.

On Friday, two more erstwhile members of the Orange and Blue were picked in the late second round. USA TODAY Sports writer Nate Davis took a look at both the second- and third-round results on Saturday morning for his instant analysis. Here is what he had to offer on the first Gator taken on Friday night.

53. Bears (from Baltimore Ravens) – DT [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag]

Reinforcements on the way for a Chicago defense that allowed the most points in the NFL in 2022. At 6-6, 310 pounds (with sub 4.9 speed), Dexter should be a disruptive force if his talents are harnessed.

Here is a look at what Davis thinks about the second Florida alumnus taken off the board.

59. Buffalo Bills – G [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag]

A 6-5, 330-pounder who excels at paving holes in the ground game and should add a nice shot of attitude for this front five.

The NFL draft concludes on Saturday afternoon starting at noon p.m. EDT and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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Buffallo Bills select G O’Cyrus Torrence in 2nd Round

The Bills might have just picked up one of the biggest steals of the draft. Former Florida offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence is headed to Buffalo!

The Buffalo Bills selected former Florida offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] with the 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft Friday night.

Torrence entered the draft as potentially the top guard in the class, but the Los Angeles Rams selected TCU’s Steve Avila with the fifth pick of the second round (No. 36 overall) instead. Surprisingly, Florida defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. came off the board six picks ahead of Torrence, and quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] was the fourth overall pick.

It’s not too bad of a slide considering offensive guards usually hold a low priority during the draft. Still, the Bills are getting a first-round talent and an instant starter deep in the second round. It’s hard to call this pick anything but a steal.

Torrence will go down as one of the greatest one-year Gators in program history. A First Team All-American and the anchor of an elite offensive line, he more than proved that he was capable of dominating SEC defensive linemen.

Napier recruited Torrence as a three-star recruit while he was the head coach at Louisiana, and it was a no-brainer to recruit him again in the transfer portal once Napier made the move to Florida.

Now, he’ll represent both teams as he continues his career in the NFL.

Buffalo drafted Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam with its first-round pick in 2022.

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Chicago Bears draft DT Gervon Dexter Sr. in 2nd Round

Gervon Dexter is the second Gator off the board in the 2023 NFL draft and is headed to the Windy City to play for the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears drafted former Florida defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft Friday night.

Dexter was an expected Day 2 selection but coming off the board in the second round ahead of guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence [/autotag]isn’t something draft experts were projecting. It’s hardly surprising to see him drafted so high, though, given his natural physical gifts.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 312-pounder signed with the Gators as a five-star recruit and the No. 12 overall player in the class of 2020. He made an immediate impact on the defensive line and only got better over his three years with the program.

There were those who believed Dexter needed another year in college to unlock his full potential, but it’s clear that NFL teams are high enough him already to validate the decision to leave.

Dexter finished his three-year Gators career with 125 total tackles (46 solo), 9.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries. Numbers rarely tell the full story with defensive tackles, though. Dexter was a disruptive presence against some of the SEC’s best.

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This former Gator among best remaining in 2023 NFL draft

This Gator is among the best available talents remaining in the draft.

The first round of the 2023 NFL draft is officially in the books but there are still six rounds remaining in the amateur selection process. Former Florida quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] was among the first off the board on Thursday night, getting snatched up at No. 4 by the Indianapolis Colts.

The Gainesville native’s selection was just one of 10 UF alumni who have thrown their names into the draft hat. The next Gator expected to come off the board is offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], who many believed would be a first-round pick but instead has slid to the second round.

College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn put together his list of top prospects remaining in the draft on Thursday morning with the bayou bruiser at No. 7 on his list of remaining players. Take a look below at what he had to offer on Torrence.

Torrence is a mauler that I had regularly mocked in the first round. He can absolutely open a hole, so if a team needs interior help then he should be selected relatively quickly.

The NFL draft continues on Friday night starting at 7 p.m. EDT and can be followed on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network.

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Where Florida players stand on ESPN Mel Kiper’s final Big Board

It’s draft season and plenty of former Gators are hoping to hear their names called. Here’s where ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks them just days before the big event.

The 2023 NFL draft is almost ready to begin, and that means draft analysts are locking in their final projections and Big Boards ahead of the big day. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is one of the most well-known analysts in the country and he published his final list on Tuesday.

Quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] leads the bunch at No. 7 overall, followed by offensive guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] at No. 61 and defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]. at No. 103 overall. Richardson is ranked fourth among quarterbacks in the draft class, Torrence is ranked third among guards and Dexter is the No. 10 defensive tackle.

Kiper’s takes on Florida’s top prospects are interesting. Richardson has been projected to go as high as No. 1 overall, but Kiper sees his stock falling ever so slightly. Torrence has been considered the top guard in the draft for a while, so seeing him at No. 3 is also peculiar.

“Richardson is still very raw,” Kiper wrote. “His mechanics and footwork need a lot of work. He has accuracy issues on shorter throws that should be easier. And yet, the arm strength and the dual-threat ability are so intriguing that a team near the end of Round 1 absolutely could take him and let him develop.”

Plenty of other Gators made the positional rankings.

On offense, wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] is No. 43 in his position group, and  [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] is the 23rd-best offensive tackle. Defensively, linebackers [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] and [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] come in at Nos. 15 and 25, respectively.

Former Gator [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]. was dismissed from he team but is still ranked No. 18 among outside linebackers. Finally, [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag] and [autotag]Rashad Torrence II[/autotag] are ranked Nos. 27 and 28, respectively, among safeties by Kiper.

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