Tag: Richard Gouraige

Bills sign 13 players to reserve/future contracts

Full list:

(Update 1/24, 6:30 p.m.): The Bills have also signed QB Shane Buechele to a reserve/future contract:

Previous coverage: 

The Buffalo Bills had inked 11 players to reserve/future contracts earlier this week. Then on Tuesday, two more were added to the bunch.

A reserve/future contract guarantees that a player cannot be signed by another team. The deal goes into effect once the new league year begins and will count towards the next season’s salary cap and 90-man roster for the offseason and training camp.

Of the 13, 11 were on the team’s practice squad during the 2023 season. Two of them, wide receiver KJ Hamler and safety Kendall Williamson, were not.

Here’s the full list of the 13 players the Bills have signed to reserve/future deals:

Buffalo Bills 2023 roster cuts tracker

Stay on top of the #Bills’ roster cuts right here:

The Buffalo Bills have begans their quest to 53 players (and a practice squad). The team must be down to that to total number of players by 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

But as is often the case, the NFL is wasting little time skimming down their rosters. Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott included.

Here is Bills Wire’s 2023 roster tracker for Buffalo as the Bills work their way down to 53 players:

2023 NFL draft: Richard Gouraige named Bills’ UDFA to watch

2023 NFL draft: Richard Gouraige named #Bills’ UDFA to watch:

Before, during, and after the NFL draft each year the attention is all on the draft picks. 2023 is no different.

But it’s not just about them. There are plenty of players who have gone on to have long careers that were not selected. Hall of Famers, even.

While we’re not going to say Richard Gouraige is a player that should size up his gold jacket just yet, but he’s officially on our watch board for training camp thanks to our friends at Draft Wire.

DW named one UDFA to watch on each team during the upcoming offseason. For the Bills, the offensive lineman from Florida was named and DW might be onto something.

Both The Draft Network and NFL.com were surprised that Gouraige was not drafted. Gouraige was projected as a fifth rounder and sixth-round prospect by those outlets, respectively.

Gouraige might have an uphill climb to make Buffalo’s 53-man roster after the additions made to the offensive line already this offseason. Notably at the draft, a seventh-round pick was used on Nick Broeker and a top selection in Round 2 was was tabbed on Gouraige’s college teammate O’Cyrus Torrence.

But Gouraige could stick around on the practice squad and turn into a piece that’s a promising project some day.

Here’s Draft Wire’s breakdown on Gouraige:

Gouraige has considerable experience at both guard and tackle from Florida. He’s strong, smart and technically sound–an ideal reserve offensive lineman.

[lawrence-related id=117075,117072,117069]

New York Jets sign S Trey Dean III as UDFA

Trey Dean III might not have heard his name called during the draft, but he quickly signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets to start his pro career.

The New York Jets are taking a chance on longtime Florida safety [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag] as an undrafted free agent signing.

Dean’s five years with the Gators featured plenty of ups and downs, but he leaves the program with 259 total tackles (141 solo), 24 pass deflections, 13.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, four interceptions and a forced fumble.

During UF’s pro day, Dean explained that he’d been dealing with labral hip tears that would require surgery. Plenty of teams still met with Dean leading up to the draft, but it looks like no one was willing to risk a pick on a player with healthy concerns heading into the offseason.

It might take some development to turn Dean into an NFL-caliber player, but he’s a dynamic defensive back that hits hard and tackles better than most fans give him credit for.

Dean is the second Gator to sign as an undrafted free agent following [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] to the Bills. Six former Florida football players heard their names called during the 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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=5948]

[mm-video type=video id=01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4-2346b84476bb420195db0f813431176e.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=5948]

[mm-video type=video id=01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4-2346b84476bb420195db0f813431176e.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

[mm-video type=video id=01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4-2346b84476bb420195db0f813431176e.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Five Gators taken in CBS Sports’ latest 7-round NFL mock draft

Five Gators get the call in this full seven-round mock draft from CBS Sports.

The 88th edition of the 2023 NFL draft kicks off on April 27 and runs until April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri, which means the hyped-up spring event is quickly drawing near. The annual amateur draft festivities are among the most-followed storylines at the end of the month, culminating in the start of 259 professional football careers.

Given the fanfare that surrounds the league’s long-running tradition, the sports media has been frothing at the mouth with its respective mock drafts — including CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, who unveiled his full seven-round projections for every pick in the draft on Friday. Among those selected were five former Florida Gators who look to represent the Orange and Blue at the next level.

The first Gator off Edwards’ board is standout quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag], who is selected at No. 5 overall by the Seattle Seahawks. Here is what Edwards had to offer on the Gainesville native’s draft prospects.

Seattle restarts the financial clock at quarterback with the selection of Anthony Richardson. He is afforded the time to grow and develop as a professional under the guidance of Geno Smith before being inserted into the starting role.

The second Florida alumnus selected is offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], who is taken with the No. 19 pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Get a gander at Edwards’ take on the bruiser from the bayou.

Tampa Bay invested in its offensive line for years but the unit needs some attention after the past few offseasons. The Buccaneers have at least two long-term pieces to build around with Tristan Wirfs and now O’Cyrus Torrence.

Next up is defensive lineman [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag], who gets the call in the second round at No. 63 by the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by offensive lineman [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag] in the sixth round at No. 189 overall to the Los Angeles Rams. Lastly, there is talented but oft-injured linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] who goes a few spots later to the New England Patriots at No. 192.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

[mm-video type=video id=01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4/01gxxeqq2vhjmccteth4-2346b84476bb420195db0f813431176e.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Former Florida track and field star to participate in football pro day

A former Florida Gators track national champion will join the football team at their upcoming Pro Day, showcasing their talents in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives.

NFL scouts, coaches, and executives will be in Gainesville on March 30 to witness first-hand what former Florida football players have to offer. In addition, one former Florida athlete will also be in attendance.

[autotag]Dedrick Vanover[/autotag], a former member of the Florida Gators track team in 2021 and 2022, will be the only athlete not part of the Gators football team to participate in Pro Day activities. Despite finding success on the track, Vanover is no stranger to playing football. Before stepping foot on campus in Gainesville, Vanover was an all-SIAC defensive back for Moorhouse College in Atlanta. In 2019, he recorded a team-high four interceptions and nine pass breakups, and was third on the team in total tackles with 31.

As a track star for the Orange and Blue, Vanover played a vital role in the Gators’ 2022 national outdoor track national championship, serving in the leadoff position in Florida’s 4×100-meter relay. That team’s 38.52 time won them the title, but it was their 38.47 time earlier in the season that ranks as the fourth-fastest time in Florida track history. He also was the co-SEC champion in the outdoor, individual 100-meter sprint.

The 2022 all-SEC Outdoor and Indoor First Team athlete will join Florida football players [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag], [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag], [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag], [autotag]Brenton Cox[/autotag], [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag], [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag], [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag], [autotag]Rashad Torrence[/autotag], [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Pouncey[/autotag].

Florida’s Pro Day will take place on Thursday, March 30, and will be broadcast at 10 a.m. EDT on the SEC Network and NFL+.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

[mm-video type=video id=01gw2kmsrdp3hqgz2vme playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gw2kmsrdp3hqgz2vme/01gw2kmsrdp3hqgz2vme-1c179571e6535b44693e1594fbf8f240.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Here’s when Florida football’s NFL Pro Day is scheduled

Florida has announced details of its annual Pro Day, with eleven Gators players expected to participate.

The road to the 2023 NFL draft continues for former Florida Gators football players, with the program announcing Monday that the annual pro day will be held on March 30, according to the University of Florida’s official website.

Eleven draft-eligible players from the 2022 Florida Gators football roster will participate in this year’s pro day, including projected first-round draft picks quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag]. Joining them will be linebacker [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]., defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter Sr[/autotag]., safety [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag], offensive tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag], wide receiver [autotag]Jordan Pouncey[/autotag], wide receiver [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag], and safety [autotag]Rashad Torrence II[/autotag].

Pro day events will include official weigh-ins, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, 60-yard shuttle, and positional workouts. Among those in attendance will be NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers.

Coverage of pro day will take place from the Condron Family Indoor Practice Facility, with the event broadcast at 10 a.m. EDT on the SEC Network. Former Florida football player and current SEC Network analyst [autotag]Chris Doering[/autotag] will report live from Gainesville while Peter Burns, Jordan Reid and Matt Stinchcomb will be in-studio.

There will also be coverage on NFL+, the NFL’s streaming app, with the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. reporting live from the indoor practice facility.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

[mm-video type=video id=01gvz4jq9vak7an85d8f playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gvz4jq9vak7an85d8f/01gvz4jq9vak7an85d8f-a8006f58a350318660b5b9cea8df26aa.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Florida’s offensive line a key focus for ESPN heading into 2023

Florida’s offensive line was a major reason the team wasn’t a complete disaster in 2022, and now the Gators have to replace four starters in the trenches.

Florida’s offensive line was among the best in the SEC and college football a season ago. Unfortunately, the Gators are replacing four starters on the offensive line after losing a pair of seniors to the NFL draft and two more to Southern California via the transfer portal.

UF will have center [autotag]Kingsley Eguakun[/autotag] returning, but gone are left tackle [autotag]Richard Gouraige[/autotag], left guard [autotag]Ethan White[/autotag], right guard [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag] and right tackle [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag]. Replacing those four is the top storyline of Florida’s spring, according to ESPN’s Chris Low and Hary Lyles Jr., who dove into each SEC program at the start of spring ball.

The Gators brought in three transfers on the offensive line over the offseason. Alabama‘s [autotag]Damieon George Jr[/autotag]. and former five-star Kentucky signee [autotag]Kiyaunta Goodwin[/autotag] should get a shot to play tackle for Florida along with a returning [autotag]Austin Barber[/autotag], and Baylor transfers [autotag]Micah Mazzccua[/autotag] should step immediately into one of the vacant starting guard spots.

While it is almost a complete turnover in the trenches, Florida fans should still feel confident, according to Low and Lyles.

“The Gator faithful should feel confident in the abilities of offensive coordinator [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] and offensive line coach [autotag]Darnell Stapleton[/autotag] to get this group together, given their track record with [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s great offensive lines at Louisiana, which produced multiple NFL draft picks,” the ESPN story read.

Low and Lyles also pointed a newcomer on the team to watch and chose to pick a player that will be behind the offensive line transfers mentioned above. Wisconsin transfer [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag] will be competing with [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] for the starting quarterback job, and his experience in the Big Ten might give him the upper leg. Both he and the offensive line need to excel for Florida to have a bounce-back year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1368]

[mm-video type=video id=01gse5agk1vyyxhvp4h1 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gse5agk1vyyxhvp4h1/01gse5agk1vyyxhvp4h1-2c138d7bb2195f064f6a8b073f8e58c5.jpg]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.