University of Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone became the fifth Florida Gators player taken in the 2017 NFL Draft when the New Orleans Saints selected him 76th overall in the third round.
Anzalone was one of the biggest question marks of Florida’s draft eligible players this year. He had already graduated and while his talent was undeniable, his college career was plagued with injuries. So, would he stay one more year to try to increase his draft stock or was that too much of a risk?
In the end, he made the decision to forgo his final season of eligibility rather than risk his future of playing in the NFL.
Anzalone found his home with the Gators in 2013 as the top player in the state of Pennsylvania out of Wyomissing High School. Although he had previously been committed to both Ohio State and Notre Dame, Florida had always been his dream school.
As a freshman, Anzalone appeared in 10 games playing on special teams and some at linebacker. He totaled two tackles, but battled injuries throughout the season.
In his only healthy season with the Gators in 2014, he played in all 12 games as backup to former Florida linebacker Neiron Ball. He was sidelined with a shoulder injury after starting the first two games of the 2015 season.
As a redshirt junior in 2016, he was third on the team with 53 tackles and led the team in tackles three times throughout the season. He had a career high 12 total tackles in the loss to Tennessee. He also put up three sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
After starting the first eight games of the season, he became one of Florida’s many defensive casualties as he suffered a broken forearm against Arkansas that would once again end his season early.
Anzalone’s toughness, instincts and awareness make him a good pick for New Orleans. His durability is one of the only questions remaining as he enters the NFL.