HOOVER, Ala. — Jonathan Bullard was lucky.
Unlike many players who feel forced to leave early for the NFL Draft in order to support their families back home, he had a choice.
“My parents aren’t in a situation where I need to get money fast,” the senior said. “I (saw) the improvement I could have in my game, and that’s what I wanted to come back and do.”
After completing his junior year, Bullard thought long and hard about whether he should turn pro or come back for one final season at Florida.
“When they’re telling you (that) you will get drafted, maybe not where you want to, but not too late either, it’s kinda tough,” he said, “because that’s your dream.”
But ultimately, he chose to gamble on himself by staying with the Gators to push his draft stock to a first-round grade. And by doing so, he gave Florida a much-needed weapon and leader in the trenches.
“They lost a lot of guys who got drafted, pretty good players,” coach Jim McElwain said about the defensive line. “(Bullard) would have been one of those guys. For him to come back, we’re really excited.”
Florida lost four defensive linemen from last year’s team, including Dante Fowler Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft. That’s a huge void in both talent and experience.
But ever since deciding to return to Florida, Bullard has taken it upon himself to become the leader on and off the field.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am (of him), … sitting in the office, saying ‘I’m ready to take a true leadership role and bring these guys along and show them how to do it,’” McElwain said.
It isn’t something that comes naturally to Bullard, a soft-spoken guy who prefers to let his play speak for him.
But with players like Fowler gone, he wants to assume that role and become a more vocal leader. It’s a tall task, but Bullard believes he is ready.
“There’s a little more pressure on me to make the big plays at the big times,” Bullard said, “but that’s something I’m willing to embrace and be more of a leader, bringing the defensive line together a little more and kinda stepping in to what Dante did.”
Florida's Jonathan Bullard speaks to the media during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Monday, July 13, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
