Florida Gators All-Time NFL Defensive Unit

The University of Florida is home to some of the best players in the NFL.

Although the Gators have sent more heralded offensive prospects to the NFL, few fans know about their rich history on the defensive side of the ball.

These players have won Super Bowls, been selected to multiple Pro Bowls and became a terror that forced offenses to game plan around them.

DL: Brad Culpepper

Culpepper wasn't the biggest or the baddest man on the defensive line. He wasn't an "X factor" that wrecked havoc along the defensive line.

But when you consider Culpepper was a 10th round selection in the 1992 NFL draft and then went on to play until the 2000 season, you can see the amount of work that he put into playing and starting for his teams.

Culpepper finished his career with 83 starts in 131 games, 227 tackles and 34 sacks.

He didn't put up gaudy numbers, but when Culpepper lined up, you knew he was going to give you 100 percent on every play.

DL: Kevin Carter

Kevin Carter became an impact player on the defensive line almost as soon as he was drafted.

In 1995, he finished second in the league in sacks for rookies and was named the Rams' Rookie of the Year.

Carter's best season was in 1999 when he was named to the Pro Bowl team and led the NFL in sacks with 17. It was the best season by a defensive player for the Rams since Jack Youngblood.

After winning a Superbowl ring in St. Louis, Carter was traded to the Titans where he continued his success and even played some defensive tackle.

He started 219 games while appearing in a staggering 224 consecutive games. Carter also finished with 448 tackles and 104.5 sacks.

DL: Jevon Kearse

"The Freak."

Jevon Kearse may have been the most heralded prospect coming out of Florida in recent memory. With his freakish athletic gifts, Kearse looked to be the total package for a NFL player. For a time, he was.

He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1999 with 14.5 sacks and finished second in Defensive MVP voting. Kearse was also the first rookie DE to be voted as a Pro Bowl starter since 1978.

Kearse was a great player for the early part of his career, but his achievements are nearly overshadowed by his injury plagued seasons. Kearse will always be a "what if" story for most NFL fans, but for the few years he was healthy, Kearse put up solid numbers.

DL: Jack Youngblood

Jack Youngblood is arguably the Gators all-time best NFL player.

At 6'5 245 pounds, he dealt with countless barbs about him being undersized for the NFL. Youngblood would go on to prove those analysts wrong, as he was named an All-NFC Player from 1974-1980 and won back to back NFC defensive player of the year honors.

Youngblood was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1973-1980 and finished his career with 151.5 sacks.

Amazingly, Youngblood played in every game he was eligible from 1970-1984. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

LB: Wilber Marshall

Wilber Marshall was a member of the vaunted 1985 Bears defense that put fear in the hearts of NFL offenses.

He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection along with being named All-Pro three times.

Marshall won two Superbowl rings with the Bears and with the Redskins. He's also one of the few players in NFL history to have a recorded 20 sacks and 20 interceptions.

During his 12-year career, Marshall recorded over 1,000 tackles, 45 sacks, and 23 interceptions.

LB: Mike Peterson

Mike Peterson has been viewed as a leader wherever he's played. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts and played there for four years.

Following his tenure with the Colts, Peterson lead the Jaguars defense until an altercation with head coach Jack Del Rio lead to him playing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Peterson has only received one award during his tenure, a 2005 second team All-Pro, but he's been a solid producer during his career.

Peterson currently sits at 864 tackles, 18 interceptions and 21.5 sacks.

LB: David Little

David Little is one of the few NFL players to finish on the same team that drafted him. Little was drafted in the seventh round and went on to start at middle linebacker.

Little, at one point started an amazingly 89 consecutive games for the Steelers. In 1990, Little was awarded with a Pro Bowl selection in 1990.

He finished his career with nine QB sacks, 10 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

DB: John Symank

Looking at John Symank without shoulder pads, you would've guessed he played baseball or ran track. At 5'11" and tipping the scales at 180 pounds, Symank made up for his lack of size with his production.

Symank may have had a short career at only seven years in length, but he had more success than most NFL players.

Symank won two NFL championships while playing for the great coach, Vince Lombardi.

Symank finished his NFL career with 19 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries.

DB: Bernie Parrish

Bernie Parrish can be described as a "do it all" kind of man.

In college, he played both sides of the ball and played baseball during the offseason.

After choosing to not pursue a career in baseball, Parrish made his way to the NFL where he was selected by the Cleveland Browns. He was a key part of the 1964 NFL Championship Browns team.

Parrish finished his career with 31 interceptions, which are highlighted by a 92-yard return in 1960.

DB: Joe Haden

Joe Haden has only had one season in the NFL, but if he can keep up his current pace then he will go on to be one of the most successful corners in NFL history.

Replacing an injured Eric Wright, Haden started seven games for the Cleveland Browns and recorded six interceptions.

This season Haden has almost half as many tackles as he did in all of last year.

If you haven't seen this video, check out his athletic ability.

DB: Lito Sheppard

Similar to Jevon Kearse, Lito Sheppard is a tale of "what if."

Sheppard had good seasons in 2004 and 2006 when he was named All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl. But he also had a handful of injury plagued seasons that led to him being traded from the Eagles.

Sheppard's career was thought to be over after missing the final cut for the 2011 Raiders team, but he has recently been re-signed to the team.