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Published May 1, 2016
Recap: Where former Gators landed in the 2016 NFL Draft
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Landon Watnick
Senior Writer

Once the 2016 NFL Draft finally wrapped up on Saturday, a total of seven Gators had heard their names called over the course of three days.

Other undrafted Gators - as well as a few players who transferred from the program - found new destinations. Overall, Florida tied Alabama for the most draft picks among SEC schools in this draft. It's the third time in the past four years that UF has seen at least seven of its players selected.

Now, Inside the Gators recaps where each former Gator landed this weekend.

-- Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1st round, 11th overall): After the Bucs traded down two spots in an exchange of picks with the Chicago Bears, they selected the 5-foot-10, 204-pound Hargreaves, a stout, talented corner who should help Tampa Bay's secondary. Hargreaves is UF's highest-drafted cornerback since Joe Haden, who landed with the Cleveland Browns at No. 7 in 2010. Now, he'll be squaring off against former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston in practices. Hargreaves will wear No. 28 for the Bucs.

-- Safety Keanu Neal – Atlanta Falcons (1st round, 17th overall): Neal's stock has been on the rise since strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine and then Pro Day - and it resulted in him going as a first-rounder. A physical, hard-hitting safety who plays well in the box, the 6-foot, 211-pound Neal is an intriguing addition for the Falcons defense. Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn recruited Neal during his time on UF's staff as defensive coordinator from 2011-12 before taking a job with the Seattle Seahawks, so there's some familiarity there. Neal will wear No. 22 for the Falcons.

-- Defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard – Chicago Bears (3rd round, 72nd overall): Bullard's wait was a bit longer than expected in a draft that was especially deep at defensive line. However, Bullard finally heard his name called in the top half of the third round, when the Bears picked him up. An explosive, versatile lineman at 6-foot-3, 283-pounds, Bullard is solid against the run and excels in the pass rush with a great motor. Although he's somewhat undersized compared to some of the bigger tackles at the next level, he's versatile enough to play three-technique tackle and strongside defensive end.

-- Linebacker Antonio Morrison – Indianapolis Colts (4th round, 125th overall): There were some medical concerns about the 6-foot-1, 232-pound Morrison following his devastating knee injury at the end of the 2014 season - and whether at his size he'll be able to prosper at the next level. However, the Colts landed a tenacious player with great pursuit and an aggressive streak on the field. McElwain called Morrison the story of the Gators football team in 2015 following his miraculously quick recovery and also labeled him as the "heart and soul" of the unit.

-- Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson – Kansas City Chiefs (4th round, 126th overall): In Robinson, the Chiefs added a player who could potentially complement wideout Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce in the passing game - that is, if he's able to put it all together. There's no denying Robinson's talent, but his junior year was a disappointment following a breakout sophomore campaign in 2014. Off-the-field issues and character concerns held back Robinson at Florida, but will those prove to be a problem at the next level?

-- Running back Kelvin Taylor - San Francisco 49ers (6th round, 211th overall): Taylor, the son of former NFL standout Fred Taylor, waited a while for his name to be called after forgoing his senior season and Florida and turning pro, but he was finally selected by Chip Kelly's 49ers in the sixth round Saturday. Taylor will have his fair share of competition at the running back position on San Francisco's roster, but considering the play from its rushing attack last year wasn't all too impressive, Taylor should certainly have a shot in training camp to prove his worth.

-- Defensive end Alex McCalister - Philadelphia Eagles (7th round, 240th overall): The 6-foot-6, 245-pound McCalister tested well in plenty of drills at the combine and Pro Day, but the big question is at what position will the tall, thin pass-rusher succeed at the next level. McCalister was a specialist at Florida in the pass rush but somewhat of a liability defending the run.

-- Tight end Jake McGee - Carolina Panthers (signed as undrafted free agent): In McGee, the Panthers picked up a solid free agent prospect who proved to be a reliable target for the Gators offense as a sixth-year senior. McGee is older than your average undrafted free agent - and he does have a history of past injuries - but he should bring some upside to the Panthers roster (at least in training camp). With four other tight ends on the roster including Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson, it'll be interesting to see whether McGee is able to stick on with the 53-man roster.

-- Defensive back Brian Poole - Atlanta Falcons (signed as undrafted free agent): Quinn picked up his second former UF defensive back of the draft weekend in the 5-foot-10, 207-pound Poole, who is also a former player of Quinn's from the 2012 season. Poole presents a versatile option for Quinn who could play either at safety or nickelback. How he fits at the next level - and whether he'll be able to stick on the roster by the start of the season - will be worth watching. After all, this is one of Quinn's former players - and he does seem pretty high on what Poole brings to the table.

--Offensive lineman Trip Thurman - Cincinnati Bengals (signed as undrafted free agent): The versatile Thurman played a key role for the Gators offensive line over the past couple of seasons, seeing time at both guard and center. Last season as a redshirt senior, Thurman started in all 14 of UF's games. A lingering shoulder injury has been somewhat of a hinderance throughout his playing career.

--Former Florida wide receiver Latroy Pittman, wide receiver Valdez Showers, linebacker Anthony Harrell, offensive tackle Mason Halter and wide receiver/long snapper Roger Dixon remain unsigned.

FORMER GATORS SELECTED WHO HAD TRANSFERRED FROM UF

-- Quarterback Jacoby Brissett - New England Patriots (3rd round, 91st overall): Brissett, who played for UF from 2011-12 before transferring to NC State for his final three seasons of college football, was the fifth quarterback taken in the draft this weekend. Now, he'll serve as the backup to Jimmy Garoppolo during the first four games of the 2016 season while Tom Brady serves a four-game suspension for "Deflategate." After that, Brissett will likely be a third-stringer.

-- Quarterback Jeff Driskel - San Francisco 49ers (6th round, 207th overall): Driskel's productive season at Louisiana Tech as a graduate transfer in 2015 helped make him some bucks after four mostly disappointing years in Gainesville. The San Francisco 49ers took Driskel in the sixth round - and now, he'll fight for a spot on the roster competing with Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, Thad Lewis and Dylan Thompson. Driskel now reunites with Taylor in San Francisco.

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