Florida Football: 5 Gators Prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft

The 2012 draft is only a few days old and though a single player has yet to sign an NFL contract, mock drafts and big boards are already popping up all over the Internet for the 2013 draft. Covering the NFL draft has become a year-long endeavor and it is never too early to begin looking at prospects.  

The Florida Gators have had just six players selected in the past two NFL drafts, three less than the Gators had in 2010 alone. 

The lack of draft-worthy players has a direct correlation with the Gators struggles on the field the past two seasons. 

With that being said the Gators will have several players, including underclassmen, who will make themselves eligible for the 2013 draft.

Let's take a look at the top 5 draft-eligible players on the Gators' roster heading into the 2012 season. 

Jonathan Bostic

Jonathan Bostic is one half of a linebacking duo that are the heart and soul of the Gators' defense. 

Bostic, a senior, has benefited as much as any player from new Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeff Dillman's workouts. Bostic showed up to spring camp looking considerably bigger than he has been in his first three seasons in orange and blue. 

Bostic is a tough, smart, physical inside linebacker that will garner interest from teams looking for a strong presence in the middle of their defense. A solid tackler, Bostic will be a big factor against the run but also has enough speed to cover tight ends at the next level. 

Xavier Nixon

Xavier Nixon has had a rollercoaster career as a Gator. 

As a freshman, Nixon played in 10 games (including five starts) earning SEC All-Freshman honors. 

During his next two years, Nixon struggled with an illness that caused his weight to fluctuate and his performance suffered as a result. Nixon had probably his worst season as a Gator last year, but had a very productive spring and is set to be the starting left tackle on opening day. 

Nixon and the offensive line as a whole have really taken to Dillman's Olympic-style lifting program and are motivated to improve on a 2011 season that saw Gators quarterbacks scrambling for their lives.

If Nixon can find the player he was as a freshman and have a solid senior campaign, he could see himself rise up NFL draft boards. Much like Marcus Gilbert, who rose up draft boards after his senior season and was eventually drafted by the Steelers. 

Dominique Easley

After a rocky freshman season, DT Dominique Easley came on as a sophomore. Before tearing his ACL, Easley had become the Gators' best defensive linemen. Easley finished the 2011 season with 37 tackles (7.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. 

Easley has one of the quickest first steps of any defensive lineman in the country and is a disruptive force that often draws double-teams to contain him. While it may be in his best interest to return for his senior season, Easley could choose to forgo his senior year and take his talents to the NFL. 

Easley is reportedly close to 100 percent and will be ready to participate in fall practice. 

Matt Elam

Matt Elam has turned himself into one of the best safeties in the nation. Elam is another junior that could pass up his senior season for the NFL. 

Last season, Elam was second on the team in tackles (78), first in tackles for loss (11) and first in interceptions (two). Elam has both the speed, instincts and tackling ability to be a starter in the NFL right now. 

Jelani Jenkins

By Will Muschamp's estimation, the Gators dropped 15 interceptions last season. Jelani Jenkins was the biggest culprit, dropping six surefire picks. 

Jenkins has spent the offseason being teased by his teammates for the drops and spending a considerable amount of time catching balls from the JUGS machine. 

Much like Bostic, Jenkins looked significantly bigger this spring after only a few short months in Dillman's new workout program. 

Jenkins has the size to be effective against the run, along with the speed and cover skills to take on tight ends or slot receivers. 

Jenkins will be highly sought after and a potential first or second-round pick if he decides to declare early for the draft.