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Published Dec 11, 2016
Draft Eligible Juniors: Who should stay and who should go?
Landon Watnick  •  1standTenFlorida
Beat Writer

Following its Outback Bowl matchup against Iowa on Jan. 2, Florida will see the departure of a number of key contributors this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Among the seniors, starters in linebacker Jarrad Davis, safety Marcus Maye, defensive tackle Joey Ivie, defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. are expected to make it at the professional level following the 2016 campaign. If cornerbacks Jalen "Teez" Tabor and Quincy Wilson, defensive tackle Caleb Brantley, linebacker Alex Anzalone, and defensive back Duke Dawson all chose to leave, Florida could lose as many as nine starters on defense from this season.

After Florida's 54-16 SEC Championship Game loss to Alabama, none of the above chose to announce their intentions and instead noted that they need more time over the next couple of weeks to mull their decisions.

Now, Inside the Gators takes a closer look at the decisions awaiting Florida’s top draft-eligible juniors and gives insight on what move would be best for each of their futures.

JUNIOR CORNERBACK JALEN TABOR

Tabor’s 2016 stats: 32 tackles (22 solo), 2.0 TFL, four interceptions, five pass breakups, one sack, one fumble recovery in 11 appearances (11 starts)

What Tabor should do: Leave -- This one should be a no-brainer for Tabor, who is a consensus first-round pick on mock draft boards. The 6-foot, 201-pound Tabor's length, athleticism and disruptiveness at the cornerback position would serve as a boost for any NFL squad - and the Washington, D.C., native should be an intriguing starting corner on an NFL roster. Some teams may have questions about Tabor's off-the field issues, including his 2014 citation from marijuana possession, his suspension for refusing to take a drug test in 2015, his sometimes too-outspoken personality on social media and his notorious altercation with C'yontai Lewis in fall camp. However, Tabor's talent certainly outweighs some of those more minor concerns.

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