GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida had just two players drafted over the past three days: defensive tackle Jaye Howard (fourth round, Seattle) and running back Chris Rainey (fifth round, Pittsburgh). Here are some numbers and stats to put that into perspective:
The Gators have had fewer than three players drafted in one year just five times since 1980: 2012, 2008, 1993, 1982 and 1980.
UF has had at least one player drafted in the first three rounds for the past 18 seasons. The last time UF didn’t have at least one player taken in the top three rounds was 1993 (Lawrence Hatch was a sixth-round pick by New England, and Will White was a seventh-round pick by Phoenix).
Florida’s streak of consecutive years with at least one first-round selection ends at five. Entering the draft, it was the longest active streak in the nation.
This was the first time since 2004 the Gators haven’t had an underclassman declare for the draft.
Among the schools that had more players drafted than Florida: Boise State (six), San Diego State (four), Nevada (four), SMU (four) and Utah State (three).
Among the schools that also had just two players drafted: Montana, Louisiana-Lafayette and Western Michigan.
