After meeting with the coaching staff, as well as their families and advisors David Sharpe and Quincy Wilson chose to forego their senior seasons at Florida and declare for the NFL Draft.
Sharpe, Florida’s starting left tackle, was the first to declare his intentions on Twitter.
— D.SHARPE (@Sharpe_Theory) January 3, 2017
Sharpe started 26 games over the last two seasons, all at left tackle. His size — 6’6” and 357 pounds will intrigue a lot of NFL teams. The last Florida offensive lineman to leave school early was D.J. Humphries. Humphries was drafted with the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Wilson was the next to declare. The junior cornerback was the only defensive player to start every game for the Florida Gators in 2016. Wilson entered the season with little fanfare outside of Gainesville but could be the first cornerback selected in the Draft this year.
“I feel like it’s in my best interest to declare for the NFL draft this year,” Wilson told Sports Illustrated. “I’m definitely excited. It’s something I dreamed about since I was five or six years old, to play in the NFL.
“I think Florida did the best job they could to prepare me for this moment,” Wilson said. “I came to play with the best defensive backs and become a great defensive back. They’ve done everything they could to help build me into the football player I am today.”
Wilson tallied three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown, 33 tackles, 3.5 tackle for a loss, a sack and six pass breakups in his junior season.
Florida fans can take solace in the fact that Wilson’s younger brother, Marco, has committed to Florida and will enroll this summer.
Won’t Be The Last Time A Wilson Is In The Swamp. @MjW_era I’m So Proud Of What U Have Become. Take Everything Waiting For U In Gainesville pic.twitter.com/xtBEiT8ZjE
— Quincy Wilson (@dc_wilson954) January 3, 2017
Florida is still awaiting final decisions from defensive tackle Caleb Brantley and cornerback Jalen Tabor. Both juniors are expected to forego their senior seasons and leave early for the NFL. Additionally linebacker Alex Anzalone and punter Johnny Townsend have decisions to make. Anzalone has battled injuries throughout his career, including the final four games of the 2016 season with a broken arm. Anzalone practiced prior to the Outback Bowl but did not play. Townsend led all punters with a 47.89 yard-per-punt average.
The deadline to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft is January 16.