ATLANTA — Last year after the SEC Championship game Vernon Hargreaves III announced to the surprise of no one that he would forego his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. That same day linebacker Jarrad Davis, emotional after a tough loss, announced he would stay.
Saturday the Florida Gators draft-eligible players were mum about any decision regarding their futures.
Cornerbacks Teez Tabor, Quincy Wilson, offensive lineman David Sharpe and defensive tackle Caleb Brantley all balked at questions on if they had made a decision yet.
“Not yet,” Brantley said when asked if he had thought about leaving school early for the NFL Draft. “I’ll keep y’all posted.”
Additionally, Johnny Townsend (a redshirt junior) was asked and declined to address. Townsend is in a different position than the rest of the players. NFL teams only carry one punter and he’ll need to analyze who is in the NFL as well as other punters that are still in college and will be coming out this season or next.
Tabor and Wilson are both likely first round draft picks this year. They were projected as such before the season and have played at a level worthy of keeping that status. Their decisions on paper seem cut and dry, but Tabor insisted he will need some time to make the final decision.
“We got some time right here before the bowl game,” he said. “I’m just going to get with all the people that are close to me in my life and weigh my options.”