Thirty-five cornerbacks were selected between Thursday and Saturday in the 256-pick NFL draft — Marcus Roberson and Loucheiz Purifoy were not on that list.
After going unselected in the 2014 NFL Draft, the two former Florida corners finally found their new homes Monday.
Roberson signed an undrafted free agent deal with the St. Louis Rams and Purifoy inked a deal with the Indianapolis Colts according to reports.
The duo played a combined 67 games during their three years at Florida, and both were considered top-ten defensive back prospects when they declared for the draft. Heading into draft day, ESPN analyst Todd McShay had Roberson and Purifoy ranked as his No. 101 and 184 draft prospects, respectively.
But not everyone from UF had to wait as long as the duo of early entrants.
Led by first-round selection Dominique Easley, UF saw four of its former players drafted to three different NFL teams during the three-day event.
The New England Patriots selected Easley with the 29th pick of the draft, making him the 11th Florida player drafted in the first round since 2007.
In 32 games with Florida, the defensive lineman logged 72 tackles — 18 of which were for loss — and 5.5 sacks.
Easley played in three games in his final season with the Gators before suffering a torn right ACL in practice on Sept. 26, 2013. The Staten Island, N.Y, native recorded five tackles in those contests.
Excluding 2012, Florida has had at least one player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft every year since 2007. Two UF players — defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam — were drafted in the first round of the draft in 2013.
After no one from Florida was selected in Rounds 2 or 3 on Friday, three heard their names called on the third and final day of the draft.
Jaylen Watkins was the first player taken off the board on Saturday, with the Philadelphia Eagles selecting the defensive back with pick No. 101 — the highest pick Philadelphia used on a UF player since selecting cornerback Lito Sheppard with the 26th pick in 2002.
Watkins was the first Gator selected by the Eagles since 2010, when Philadelphia selected wide receiver Riley Cooper with the 159th pick.
In his four years at Florida, Watkins started 28 contests, registering 133 tackles, 21 pass breakups and three interceptions. The Cape Coral, Fla., native was third on the team with 52 tackles and second with seven pass breakups in his senior campaign.
The New Orleans Saints drafted Ronald Powell in the fifth round, taking the linebacker with the 169th overall selection. Powell was the first Gators player picked by the Saints since 1998.
Powell notched 84 tackles and 11 sacks in 36 games for the Gators. He led Florida with four sacks in 2013 while also recording 26 tackles, including seven behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 46 yards.
After drafting Easley on Day 1, the Patriots took another Gator on Saturday when they selected Jon Halapio in the sixth round.
The 6-foot-3 guard, taken with the 179th pick, started 43 contests at right guard for UF and can help bolster a New England offensive line that surrendered 40 sacks in 2013 — the most the Patriots gave up since allowing 48 in 2008.
In addition to Roberson and Purifoy, six other former UF players have an opportunity to make teams as undrafted free agents.
Trey Burton, who played at least one game at every offensive skill position during his campaign with UF, will join Watkins in Philadelphia after signing with the Eagles. Burton accumulated 1,696 yards and 20 touchdowns in 50 career games during his tenure at Florida.
Wide receiver Solomon Patton — who led UF in receptions (44), receiving yards (556) and touchdowns (six) in 2013 — signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Offensive lineman Damien Jacobs and linebacker Darrin Kitchens inked undrafted free agent deals with the Buffalo Bills. Center Jon Harrison will join Purifoy in Indianapolis, as announced by the Institute for Athletes, a firm that represents him, on Saturday.
Offensive lineman Kyle Koehne, while not signed, announced via his Twitter (@KingKone64) on Saturday that he will be trying out for the Atlanta Falcons.
Follow Jordan McPherson on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
Defensive tackle Dominique Easley (2) rushes the quarterback during Florida’s 54-32 win against Furman on Nov. 19, 2011, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
