The 2010 Florida Gator NFL Draft Class

The University of Florida's 2009 college football season ended with a blowout victory of Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl.

And while Gator fans had expectations of Tim Tebow and Co. winning their second straight BCS national championship, that honor went to Alabama, which handily defeated UF in the SEC Championship Game.

Still, come NFL Draft weekend, it was all about Florida, as nine Gators were selected.

How did they do? Here is a look at the nine drafted UF players and one undrafted free agent who had a brief stint in the NFL.

CB Joe Haden

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 05: Defensive back Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates intercepting the ball against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Cleveland defeated Miami 13-10. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty

Junior cornerback Joe Haden was the first Gator taken in the 2010 NFL Draft, going seventh overall to the Cleveland Browns—and it didn't take long for him to become a favorite of the Dawg Pound.

A 5'11", 183-pound native of Fort Washington, MD, Haden played in all 16 games, starting seven. There, he recorded 64 tackles (57 solo), 18 pass break-ups, six interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack.

C Maurkice Pouncey

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Taken 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Maurkice Pouncey's rookie year was almost perfect—and then he had to miss the Super Bowl.

Sidelined by an ankle sprain, the 6'4", 304-pound native of Lakeland, Fla. could only watch as the Green Bay Packers topped his Steelers, 31-25, in Super Bowl XLV.

Still, Pouncey was dominant when healthy, earning a Pro Bowl selection in his first season in the league.

QB Tim Tebow

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos rushes with the ball as linebacker Brandon Siler #59 of the San Diego Chargers makes the tackle at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeat

At Tim Tebow's Pro Day for NFL scouts last spring, ESPN/Scout's Inc. draft analyst Todd McShay said he has never wanted to be wrong about a prospect more in his life.

McShay had his concerns that Tebow wouldn't be able to make the adjustments needed to go from being the master of the spread option to a quality NFL quarterback. The draft guru said his worries were about mechanics, but quickly added he loved Tebow the person, as well as every single intangible the two-time BCS champion and 2007 Heisman Trophy-winner could bring.

After one season, it's too early to make any judgements, but Tebow, Denver's first round pick (25th overall) didn't fare all that badly.

The 6'3", 245-pound former Gator played in nine games, starting three times. He completed 41-of-82 passes (.500) for 654 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Tebow also carried 43 times for 227 yards (5.3 ypc) and six touchdowns.

DE/OLB Jermaine Cunningham

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins has his pass batted down by Jermaine Cunningham #96 of the New England Patriots at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Prior to the 2010 NFL Draft, the primary question asked about Jermaine Cunningham was where he was going to play.

If it was defensive end, there was little doubt he would be the second Gator at the position selected (behind Carlos Dunlap). Likewise, if a team liked the 6'3", 260-pounder at linebacker, it was expected he'd be the second UF player at that position taken (behind Brandon Spikes).

It turns out, Cunningham was picked ahead of both of his former teammates.

Drafted in the second round (53rd overall), Cunningham was chosen one spot in front of of Dunlap and eight ahead of Spikes.

Cunningham played in 15 games as a rookie, starting 11. He recorded 34 tackles (27 solo), two forced fumbles, a sack and a pass-defensed.

And while No. 96 is listed as a defensive end on the Patriots' roster, he played both there and at outside linebacker as a rookie.

DE Carlos Dunlap

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 06: Defensive end Carlos Dunlap #8 of the Florida Gators is congratulated by teammates after sacking quarterback Robert Marve #9 of the Miami Hurricanes at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida.

Selected in the second round (54th overall) by Cincinnati, Carlos Dunlap saw action in just one of the Bengals' first five contests. However, after injuries to fellow defensive ends moved Dunlap into the rotation, the 6'6", 277-pounder shined.

Despite not starting a game, Dunlap recorded 24 tackles (19 solo) and a team rookie-record 9.5 sacks in 12 outings. He also broke up three passes.

Look for Dunlap to be a big part of Cincinnati's future.

LB Brandon Spikes

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 5: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after he scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown against Brandon Spikes #51 of the Florida Gators during the SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome on December 5, 2009 in Atlanta, Geor

One of the most beloved players by fans in Florida history, linebacker Brandon Spikes had an up-and-down rookie season in the NFL.

Selected in the second round (62nd overall) by the New England Patriots, Spikes played in the first 12 contests (starting eight) before the league handed down a four-game suspension after performance enhancing drugs were found in his system during a drug test.

Later, Comcast Sports New England reported it wasn't a steroid found in Spikes' system, but a drug used for attention deficit and hyperactivity that includes amphetamines, a substance banned by the NFL unless a waiver is granted for those with ADHD.

The 6'2", 250-pounder finished his first year with 61 tackles (38 solo), three passes defensed and an interception.

S Major Wright

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers carries for a first down on fourth and one before being tackled by safety Major Wright #27 of the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California

Despite battling through troublesome hamstring issues, safety Major Wright had a pretty good rookie year for the Chicago Bears.

Selected in the third round (75th overall), the 5'11", 206-pound product of two national powers (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and UF) played in 11 games as a rookie.

Wright recorded 24 tackles, 20 of which were solo and showed off hard-hitting style that made him a Gator favorite.

TE Aaron Hernandez

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown after catching a pass from quarterback Tom Brady #12 (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadiu

There were questions about Aaron Hernandez's blocking heading into last year's NFL Draft, but no one had any doubts about his receiving ability.

Selected in the fourth round (113th overall) by New England, Hernandez was the third former Gator chosen by the Patriots in 2010 (following DE/OLB Jermaine Cunningham and LB Brandon Spikes).

And he didn't disappoint.

The 6'1', 245-pound Connecticut native played in 14 games (starting seven), hauling in 45 passes for 563 yards (12.5 ypc) and six touchdowns. Hernandez also carried the ball three times for 47 yards.

WR Riley Cooper

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PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 13: Riley Cooper #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled by William Middleton #29 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 13, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick

A two-sport standout at Florida, Riley Cooper has put aside his baseball dreams for a career in the NFL.

Selected in the seventh round (159th overall), the 6'3", 222-pound receiver showed enough promise late in the season that he could be a pretty big part of the Philadelphia Eagles' plans in 2011.

As a rookie, Tim Tebow's college roommate played in 13 games, starting two. Cooper finished with seven receptions for 116 yards (16.6 ypc) and a touchdown.

His best performance came in a 37-19 loss in Week 7 at Tennessee. There, Cooper caught three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

RB/WR/PR/KR Brandon James

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Brandon James #12 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Dante Hughes #33 of the San Diego Chargers during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brandon James went undrafted in 2010, but he caught on in Indianapolis after being signed as a free agent.

Playing in three games, the 5'7", 176-pounder had six receptions for 40 yards (6.7 ypc). He also averaged 16.4 yards on 14 kickoff returns and 5.0 yards on seven punt returns.

Unfortunately for James, he was released following a 36-14 loss to San Diego on Nov. 28. One of the best return men in Gator history, the St. Augustine native now plays for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.