Florida Football: Updating Player Performances from the Combine

The Florida Gators have made a big impact at the NFL Scouting Combine recently—beginning in 2010 when the Tim Tebow show made its way to Indy. The Gators sent 10 players in 2010, and all 10 players would be drafted that year. 

Since 2010, that number has been decreasing. In 2011, the Gators sent seven players—and now in 2012, they send only two. Three if you include Janoris Jenkins, which I will for the purpose of writing this article. 

The Gators sending less players to the combine is partly because the lack of juniors declaring for the draft (none this year) and the lack of talented players left on the roster that were draft eligible. 

With that being said all three of the former Gators that were invited should be drafted this year, and all three could make a significant impact in their rookie seasons.

Let's take a look at what the former Gators did in Indy this weekend and if their performances helped or hurt their stock. 

Jaye Howard

Height: 6'3''

Weight: 301 lbs

Arm Length: 33"

Hand: 9 7/8 "

40 yd dash: 4.82 (12th among DL)

Broad Jump: 106"

Vertical Jump: 27.5"

Bench Press: 24 reps (225lbs)

Strengths: Size, durability, run stopper, 

Weaknesses: Takes plays off, inconsistent

Jaye Howard came into the combine wanting to prove that he belonged among the top defensive linemen in this years draft class. Howard showed at the combine much of what had already been noted. He has exceptional size and speed for his position. 

The knock on Howard is that he can sometimes disappear on film and that he seemingly let himself be blocked on plays at Florida.

The interview process will be very important for Howard as he will have to convince teams that he is not a lazy player, and show them he has the work ethic to make it at the next level.  

Chris Rainey

Height: 5'8''

Weight: 180 lbs

Arm Length: 30 3/4"

Hands: 9 3/4" 

40 yard dash: 4.45 (2nd among running backs)

20 yard shuttle: 3.93 seconds (1st among running backs)

60 yard shuttle: 11.06 seconds (1st among running backs)

3 cone drill: 6.50 seconds (1st among running backs)

Broad Jump: 120"

Vertical Jump: 36.5"

Bench Press: 16 reps (225 lbs)

Strengths: Speed/Quickness, return ability, pass catching ability, good route runner out of the slot or backfield

Weaknesses: Size, blocking ability, not an every down back

Chris Rainey set a lofty goal for himself earlier in the week when he said he would break Chris Johnson's record for the 40-yard dash at the combine. Going as far to say he would run a 4.1 second 40-yard dash.

Rainey did not reach that goal but did run a 4.37 unofficial 40-yard dash before it was changed to a 4.45.

The number given by the combine cannot be stressed too much as every team is represented at the combine and they all take their own official times for each player. So one team may have Rainey at 4.37, while another may have him at 4.45. 

Rainey showed what made him great at Florida—his quickness. Rainey put up top marks at the combine in the 20 and 60-yard shuttles along with the three-cone drill.

Rainey's three-cone drill time of 6.5 seconds is the fastest time recorded at the combine ever. Ray Rice is the next closest at 6.65 seconds. Rainey also set combine records in the 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. 

Rainey is undersized and would have liked to run a better 40 time, but showed off the kind of quickness that gives Rainey his elusiveness. 

His stock is definitely rising. 

Janoris Jenkins

Height: 5'10''

Weight: 193 lbs

Arm Length: 32"

Hands: 8 1/4" 

40 yard dash: 4.46 seconds 

Broad Jump: 121"

Vertical Jump: 33.5"

Bench Press: DNP

Strengths: Coverage, athleticism, speed/quickness, 

Weaknesses: Character concerns, off-field issues 

On the surface it would seem suspect that Jenkins did not participate in the bench press.

Upon further examination Morris Claiborne and Dre Kirkpatrick also skipped the drill. These three are widely assumed to be the top three cornerback prospects in the draft—and if you are Jenkins—why risk putting up a bad number if your contemporaries are not doing the drill?

Jenkins spent the first couple of days answering questions about his suspect character. Jenkins was arrested multiple times during his three-year stay in Gainesville, and was finally released before his senior season.

Jenkins has all of the physical attributes and skill to be a dominant cornerback in the NFL, but will have to convince a team that he is done smoking pot and ready to become a better citizen.

Jenkins has a lot of work to show that he has left his past behind him and grown from his mistakes.

If a team thinks that he has, they will be getting an amazing competitor who during his time at Florida routinely shut down the opposing team's best receiver.

Jenkins played exceptionally well against Julio Jones and A.J. Green, two receivers who had much success in their rookie seasons.  

Two Players Snubbed

The Gators did have three players who were eligible but did not appear in Indy. 

Jeff Demps was invited to participate but choose to pursue a future in track and make a run at the 2012 Olympic Team.

Given his history in track and field, it would have been very interesting to see what the speedy Demps could have run in the 40-yard dash, if given a couple of months to prepare for it. 

Seniors John Brantley and Deonte Thompson were not in the same boat. Both players are working out on their own continuing to pursue a future in football but were not extended an invitation to the combine last weekend. 

Both players now will only have their pro days, on March 13, to impress scouts and show that they are worthy of a selection come April.