Every player needs consistency, versatility and resilience to make a name for themselves in the NFL. Yet, with thousands of college athletes vying for professional careers, that opportunity remains out of reach for most, especially when the NFL Scouting Combine invites just 300 to 335 of the top athletes each year.
To make matters more difficult, traits that correlate with success in the league can often be overshadowed in Indianapolis. During the “ultimate four-day job interview,” athleticism, position-specific measurables and professionalism reign supreme.
The multiday combine occurs each spring in Indianapolis. The league gathers invitees’ medical information and conducts interviews and psychological tests, all while viewers tune in to see where their favorite players will go. Athletes also perform physical drills, like the 40-yard dash and vertical jumps.
In 2026, the combine, taking place Feb. 23-Mar. 2, selected 319 players to evaluate, down only 10 from the year prior. Of these 319 athletes, 114 come from schools in the SEC, and for the second season in a row, nine Gators earned an invitation. Only 12 other schools have nine or more invites.
Despite a lackluster 2025 college campaign, Florida possesses a wide range of elite talent catching the attention of NFL evaluators, including four defensive powerhouses, three offensive players and two special teamers.
Here’s who Florida has to offer the league in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, listed in order of their Pro Football Focus Big Board rankings:
Caleb Banks
Florida’s most highly touted invitee to the combine is defensive lineman Caleb Banks. A projected first-round pick, Banks ranks No. 17 on the Big Board. He played 27 games for Florida, during which he racked up 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, despite an injury-plagued 2025 season.
Banks is well-regarded in the scouting community for his elite mix of size, athleticism and strength, all of which will be on full display at the draft combine. He ranks above the 94th percentile of defensive linemen in height (6 feet, 6 inches), weight (335 pounds) and arm length (35 inches), per James Foster.
While his projected 5.20-second 40-yard dash time might not blow scouts away, his explosiveness off the line ranks highly among draft-eligible linemen, so his agility drills will be a must-watch. Projected 40-yard dash times are most commonly based off of previously reported times recorded by the athlete.
Because of his physical attributes, it's not hard to see why Banks could lock in a first-round grade if he shows out at the combine.
Jake Slaughter
A two-time All-American, center Jake Slaughter is among the premier prospects in this year's interior offensive line group. He made 33 starts as the anchor of the Gators line, earning Rimington Trophy finalist honors in 2025.
Currently ranked No. 77 on PFF’s Big Board, Slaughter’s on-field consistency, paired with his presence as a leader, makes him a seamless fit into any locker room.
Athletically, Slaughter grades out just above-average in both size and speed, with an estimated 5.20-second 40-yard dash time. His hands measure a little under 10 inches.
One area he might surprise in, however, is in the vertical jump, where James Foster projects Slaughter to achieve a 31.5-inch mark. That would rank third among centers in the 2025 combine.
Additionally, Slaughter’s short-area explosiveness will be on full display in the agility drills. At the center position, the unique skill will give Slaughter a leg up on his combine competitors.
Devin Moore
Arguably UF’s biggest riser during the 2025 season, cornerback Devin Moore enters the combine with plenty of momentum. He has skyrocketed up draft boards, currently ranking No. 82 on PFF’s Big Board.
At 6 feet, 3 inches, Moore’s height puts him in the 98th percentile among cornerbacks. Along with that, Moore’s athleticism was on full display this past season, and he has a projected 4.43-second 40-yard dash time, per NFL Draft Buzz.
Moore will also likely excel in interviews, which are a major part of the combine, although they don’t receive as much fan attention as physical drills. During interviews, teams are able to evaluate a player’s football IQ as well as their unique personality.
He showcased his leadership skills at the forefront of a banged-up Gator secondary in 2025, earning himself the GatorMade x Danny Wuerffel Man of the Year award. The honor recognizes the UF player who demonstrates elite character both on and off the field.
Tyreak Sapp
In a loaded and deep edge rusher class, Tyreak Sapp stands out as a productive mid- to late-round target for teams. However, the measurements at the combine might not be too kind to the No. 101 player on PFF’s Big Board.
In Gainesville, Sapp played in 49 games, recording 21.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, seven of which came in 2024.
Sapp is in the 16th percentile in height (6 feet, 2 inches) and the 8th percentile in arm length (32 inches) among edge rushers in the class, which could forecast an eventual move to an interior defensive line position.
But like Moore, one area Sapp will shine in is his interviews. Sapp’s unique personality, highlighted by the loving relationship between him and his young daughter, will stand out with NFL personnel.
Austin Barber
After an up-and-down 2025, offensive tackle Austin Barber enters the combine with something to prove. The No. 122 player on PFF’s Big Board has a unique profile, with some encouraging and discouraging traits.
At just under 6 feet, 7 inches, Barber is among the taller offensive tackles in this year’s class. However, he has below-average arm length (28th percentile) and hand size (17th percentile), which is a nonnegotiable for some organizations.
Barber, however, is a solid athlete, and his projected 5.25-second 40-yard dash time would be among the top half of offensive tackles in the class.
George Gumbs Jr.
A productive member of the Gator defense over the past two seasons, edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. enters the combine as the No. 189 player on PFF’s Big Board.
At 6 feet, 4 inches, Gumbs stands out for his height, but he’s smaller than the average pass rusher at 250 pounds. His projected 4.75-second 40-yard dash time eases some of that sting, however.
If Gumbs were to showcase unique athleticism at the combine, he could fly up draft boards. If not, he might be locked into a Day 3 draft pick.
J. Michael Sturdivant
While he wasn’t extremely productive in his lone season with the Gators, wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant has been on NFL radars for a long time, and it's not hard to see why.
The No. 218 player on PFF’s Big Board runs a projected 4.38-second 40-yard dash, which NFL Draft Buzz ranks in the 88th percentile. That, paired with Sturdivant’s above-average physical measurements (6-foot-3, 213 pounds), could spell a solid combine for the wideout.
Another area where Sturdivant could rise is in the on-field drills, as he showcased good hands during his career. This past season, he had a 3.6% drop-rate, which ranks just around the 75th percentile, per PFF.
Trey Smack
While it might not be the most-watched section of the draft combine, specialists have a chance to display their skills. And in a kicker class without a consensus top prospect, Trey Smack has a chance to make a statement in Indianapolis.
Smack, who hit a 57-yard field goal in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, has shown his ability to connect from long range. His nine 50-plus yarders are the most by a Gator kicker in program history.
Tommy Doman
The other Gator specialist invited to the combine, punter Tommy Doman, was solid in his lone year with the program. He earned a 92.2 punt grade from PFF, which ranked second in the country.
As one of four punters in attendance, Doman will have plenty of chances to showcase his abilities.
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is a junior sports journalism student in his seventh semester at The Alligator. He serves as The Alligator's assistant sports editor and football beat coordinator. He previously served as The Alligator's sports editor and as a reporter for football, women's tennis, volleyball, lacrosse and sports enterprise. He also has made multiple appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. Max wants to shoutout his cats, Scooter and Zoe, and niche former Florida Panthers players (shoutout Maxim Mamin).
Curan is a junior sports journalism student in his fourth semester at The Alligator. He is currently the sports desk's football and enterprise beat writer, and previously served as a reporter for men's tennis, sports enterprise and football. He is currently pursuing a public relations minor and is an avid Duval sports fan. (#DTWD)
