After leaving Gainesville, many former Gators players are continuing their careers at the next level. Here’s a look at how former Florida players performed in Week 3 of the preseason in this edition of Gators in the NFL:
Two Gators find end zone:
Running back Mike Gillislee made his New England debut Friday with a first quarter touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Gillislee’s 1-yard run gave the Patriots a 19-0 edge, and the former Florida back found the end zone again on the ensuing two-point conversion. Gillislee left UF in 2013 and bounced from Miami to Buffalo before signing a two-year, $6.4 million deal with the Patriots in April.
Receiver Frankie Hammond came up with a clutch, fourth quarter touchdown catch Saturday for the New York Jets. Trailing the Giants 32-25, Hammond hauled in a 17-yard pass from quarterback Christian Hackenberg with 1:26 left in the game. Hammond started his career with the Chiefs in 2013 but signed with the Jets this offseason after spending last season on Kansas City’s practice squad.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis continued his consistent play for Philadelphia this week. He made his only field goal attempt Thursday, a 30-yarder in a win against Miami.
Eagles tight end Trey Burton was also productive in the win this week, catching 4 passes for 43 yards including a 22-yard reception at Miami’s 3-yard line to set up a touchdown run.
Rookie roundup:
Going up against Gillislee, Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis led Detroit’s defense with eight tackles (five solo) in his team’s loss to New England. Alongside first-round pick Davis on Friday was second-round pick Teez Tabor. He continued his solid defensive play against the Patriots, making two solo tackles and breaking up a pass.
Staying in the secondary, safety Marcus Maye had 3 solo tackles in the Jets’ 32-31 loss to the Giants on Saturday.
Other noteworthy performances included Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone breaking up a pass and logging two solo tackles in a 13-0 win against Houston, and undrafted defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. sacking Jacksonville quarterback Chad Henne, setting the Jaguars back seven yards on Thursday in Carolina’s 24-23 win.
Indianapolis cornerback and second-round pick Quincy Wilson is recovering from a knee injury and didn’t play in the Colts’ loss to the Steelers on Saturday.
DBU Class of 2016:
Three defensive backs who left Florida in 2016 look to stave off a sophomore slump in 2017 with their respective secondaries. Tampa Bay cornerback Vernon Hargreaves broke up three passes and made two solo tackles in a Saturday loss against Cleveland.
Also in the NFC South, the Atlanta tandem of Keanu Neal (3 solo tackles) and Brian Poole (1 solo tackle) was effective in a Saturday loss to Arizona.
You can follow Matt Brannon on Twitter @MattB_727, and contact him at mbrannon@alligator.org.
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
