Junior cornerback Marcus Roberson will forego his final season of eligibility at Florida and declare for the 2014 NFL Draft, UF announced Friday afternoon.
“Marcus has informed me that he has made the decision to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL,” coach Will Muschamp said in a press release.
“Marcus was part of our first recruiting class and it was a pleasure watching him mature and develop both on and off the field during his time here. I look forward to watching him play on Sundays and, like all of our players, I encourage them to return to complete his degree.”
ESPN projects Roberson as a late first-round selection.
“I’m very thankful of everyone at Florida that helped me to get to this point in my career,” Roberson said in a press release. “From Tony Meacham, my academic adviser, to Jeff Dillman to Coach Muschamp and the entire coaching staff. It’s been a great experience here and now that it is over I can truly appreciate everything that is in place here for players to be successful and have an opportunity to play at the next level.”
Roberson battled knee and ankle injuries this season, and was suspended for Florida’s game against South Carolina on Nov. 16 for violating team rules. Altogether, he missed five games.
The Fort Lauderdale native totaled 11 tackles this year and broke up three passes this year, but he did not record an interception. In his Florida career, Roberson – an All-Southeastern Conference Second Team selection in 2012 – notched 56 tackles, 17 pass breakups and three interceptions.
With junior cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy also deciding to follow his NFL dreams and leave early, Florida heads into the 2014 season with Vernon Hargreaves III and Brian Poole as its top candidates to start at cornerback. Both are the only returning corners to see a significant number of snaps on defense in 2013.
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Marcus Roberson (5) tackles Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Oct. 12 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
