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USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
SI projects Florida football DL Caleb Banks as a first-round pick in 2026 NFL mock draft
SI projects Florida football DL Caleb Banks as a first-round pick in 2026 NFL mock draft It is that time of year when it seems like everyone and their mother are releasing their mocks of the 2026 NFL draft — less than a week after the conclusion of the 2025 edition. Among those casting their dice on an event almost a full calendar year away is Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer, whose way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft included one member of the Orange and Blue. That player is defensive lineman Caleb Banks, who spent his first two collegiate seasons with the Louisville Cardinals before transferring to Gainesville for the past pair of campaigns. Funny enough, Fischer projects Banks to be selected with the 17th pick by the Arizona Cardinals next April. "Banks flashed down the stretch last season and with some further polish could turn into a realistic option in the first round, given his size and excellent quickness," he notes. "Pairing him alongside Walter Nolen III could form quite the tandem for the Cardinals." Caleb Banks' 2024 stats with Florida The 6-foot-6-inch, 329-pound rising redshirt senior out of Detroit, Michigan, played in 12 games — making 10 starts — in 2024, recording 21 total tackles, 10 of which were solo. That includes seven tackles for a loss (4.5 as sacks) along with two forced fumbles and a recovered fumble, giving him a 73.0 overall grade on defense, according to PFF. Banks's efforts also earned him the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week award after Florida's Week 13 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. Off the field, he was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in both his seasons as a Gator. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Jets sign Florida football EDGE Ja'Markis Weston as UDFA after 2025 NFL draft
New York Jets sign Florida football EDGE Ja'Markis Weston as UDFA after 2025 NFL draft The New York Jets waited until after the 2025 NFL draft to sign former Florida edge defender Ja'Markis Weston as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night, but at least the versatile Gators alumnus has finally found a new home among the professional ranks. He reportedly signed a deal that includes a $200,000 guaranteed salary. Weston began his career in Gainesville as a three-star wide receiver out of Clewiston (Florida) in the 2019 recruiting cycle. He appeared in three games during his true freshman year before taking a redshirt and played in eight the following season, earning his first career tackle against Arkansas on Nov. 14. In 2021, he appeared in nine games for the Orange and Blue, scoring his first touchdown against Samford on Nov. 13. Weston saw action in 12 games but primarily in a special-teams role, totalling 32 kickoff return yards. Then, two seasons ago, the 6-foot-2.5-inch, 235-pound athlete only appeared in five games, totalling four solo tackles amid a major change in his role. "I told him last year, he was a gunner for us. I said I've been around some guys that played gunner and made a whole lot of money," UF outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson said during spring camp in 2023. "He's one of those guys we call it a team player. Probably early on, he wanted his role to be bigger, but he's accepted his role. Those are the guys that usually play a long, long time." Weston played in all 13 games in 2024 — primarily on special teams — while appearing on defense in three, totaling nine tackles (seven solo), one sack and one forced fumble for a 67.9 special teams grade according to PFF. The young man from Clewiston's collegiate odyssey had finally become complete. "It's been an amazing journey. I mean, I have no complaints. Going in day in, day out, working with my brothers, just being able to be here with them and being able to show them the ropes. Not self-serving, you know, being able to just bring everybody together as one," Weston said. "It wasn't discouraging. I mean, there's a lot to learn with football. It's very schematic and I would say you just gotta put your head down and be able to grow and be able to be versatile. And I mean, it's gonna add up later on." Along with his athletic accolades, Weston was also named to the 2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll while earning his bachelor's degree in Education Sciences during that same fall term. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who picked South Carolina DB Nick Emmanwori in the NFL draft?
The Seattle Seahawks selected defensive back Nick Emmanwori with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft on Friday night. Emmanwori (6-3, 220 pounds) played three seasons, all for the University of South Carolina, a rarity nowadays when the NCAA transfer portal is so prevalent. Emmanwori played from 2022-24, playing in 37 games. Throughout his collegiate career, Emmanwori racked up quite the list of on-field and academic accomplishments. He was named a freshman First Team All-American in 2022, 2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, 2024 SEC Safety of the Year, 2024 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy Finalist (state of South Carolina's most outstanding collegiate football player), 2024 unanimous First Team All-SEC selection, among several other accolades. 2024 was Emmanwori's best season as a member of the Gamecocks. Emmanwori totaled a career high with 88 tackles (57 solo, 31 assisted), three tackles for loss, four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. After his historic season, Emmanwori was invited to the 2025 NFL combine, where he posted a 4.38 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical jump and 11-foot, six-inch broad jump. According to his NFL combine profile, Emmanwori's NFL comparison is the Las Vegas Raiders' Jeremy Chinn. Emmanwori's speed and agility, paired with his ability to roam the secondary will immediately boost the _____'s defensive backfield.
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football's defensive lineman D'Antre Robinson enters NCAA transfer portal
Florida football's defensive lineman D'Antre Robinson enters NCAA transfer portal The Florida football program saw the departure of defensive lineman D'Antre Robinson to the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday. An already thin DL room just got a bit slimmer with the projected second-teamer seeking greener pastures. Robinson, who came to Gainesville as a blue-chip recruit in the 2024 class out of Orlando (Florida) Jones, chose the Gators over the Texas Longhorns after first signing with the latter during that cycle. The 6-foot-4-inch, 303-pound trench warrior was rewarded with 11 appearances last fall — including a start — for the Orange and Blue, logging 162 defensive snaps during his freshman campaign. According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson recorded 17 total tackles — including three for loss and 1.5 sacks — one fumble recovery, two quarterback pressures and three defensive stops over the course of his 11 appearances. He was also named to the 2024 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. The Florida native was expected to take on a bigger role this upcoming season after his solid performance during his debut campaign. Now, Billy Napier and Co. will have to find answers to their defensive line questions elsewhere. Defensive line coach Gerald Chatman's take on D'Antre Robinson '(Robinson is) doing a really good job. Pleased with D'Antre. Think he's a tough kid, great kid to have around the program. He cares about his teammates. He has a skill set — he's twitched up. So I think he's one of those guys who's gonna have a big role this year," Chatman offered back in March. "And again, a guy that I've had since day one — and that's a special thing. So going into year two, it's huge those guys are getting the reps and getting the bulk of the load right now." Florida football players entering transfer portal Robinson marks the fifth member of the Gators' 2025 roster to enter the NCAA transfer portal this spring. The others are redshirt freshman safety Gregory Smith III, as well as three walk-ons in redshirt freshman Lawrence Wright IV, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Chase Stevens and redshirt sophomore long snapper Gannon Burt. D'Antre Robinson's 2024 highlights Made his collegiate debut and played 14 snaps on the defensive line. Made his collegiate debut and played 14 snaps on the defensive line. at Mississippi State: Recorded two tackles (one solo). Recorded two tackles (one solo). vs. UCF: Notched first career tackle-for-loss and sack (0.5) for -4 yards and had two total tackles. Notched first career tackle-for-loss and sack (0.5) for -4 yards and had two total tackles. at No. 8 Tennessee: Saw game action as a reserve on the defensive line. Saw game action as a reserve on the defensive line. vs. Kentucky: Logged his first career quarterback hurry. Logged his first career quarterback hurry. vs. No. 2 Georgia: Lone tackle was for half-a-sack on 3rd-down. Lone tackle was for half-a-sack on 3rd-down. at No. 5 Texas: Had three solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss (minus-3 yards). Had three solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss (minus-3 yards). vs. No. 21 LSU: Tallied two total tackles. Tallied two total tackles. vs. No. 9 Ole Miss: Made an appearance on the defensive line. Made an appearance on the defensive line. at Florida State: A season-high 27 snaps played and tackles (four) with 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sack, and a fumble recovery. A season-high 27 snaps played and tackles (four) with 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sack, and a fumble recovery. Gasparilla Bowl vs. Tulane: Notched first career start and had three solo tackles in the win. Courtesy of Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
