Florida football has a tradition of developing NFL-level players.
Since 1952, the Florida Gators have selected at least one player in every NFL draft.
The University of Florida's 2024 NFL Draft class lacked depth, but the 2025 class is expected to be stronger. Florida enters its third year under head coach Billy Napier and has added depth and experience to its roster, which Gator fans are hoping will bring more benefits on the field. Florida went 11-14 in Napier's first two seasons.
“The players coming back to this team understand the expectations,” Napier said. “They know what we expect from them as people, as students, as players. As coaches, I think the players give us confidence…
“We're deeper. We have more height and length. We have more veteran players, and young talent, freshmen and portal players will help us. I think.”
Here are five players who could see their names called next year in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Florida Football CB Jason Marshall Jr.
Some were surprised when Marshall Jr. chose to return for his senior year. However, after the 2023 season in which Marshall had zero interceptions and 10 pass breakups, Marshall elected to return to college to complete his undergraduate degree and strengthen his draft stock. A former five-star recruit out of Miami, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Marshall has two career interceptions and 23 pass breakups. Walter Football rates Marshall as the 12th-best cornerback in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and Marshall will have a chance to improve on that rating if he has a strong senior season.
Florida Football RB Montrell Johnson
Johnson finished with 1,658 yards and 15 TDs on 5.4 yards per carry in two seasons at the University of Florida. He will have a chance to return as a feature for UF this season following Trevor Etienne's decision to transfer to Georgia. Walter Football rates Johnson as the fourth-best running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he is projected to be a second- to fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Florida football QB Graham Mertz
Mertz, a transfer from Wisconsin, bounced back at Florida for the 2023 season, leading the SEC in passing percentage (72.9 percent) with 2,903 yards, 20 TDs and three interceptions in 11 games. Mertz, in his second year with Napier's offense, believes he can put up even better passing numbers, which is why he chose to return for his final season of eligibility. Walter Football rates the 6-3, 215-pound Mertz as the 11th-best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft and a potential third- to fifth-round pick.
![Florida Gators huddle together during the second half to talk to their team during the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. Quarterback Graham Martz (15). [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://www.gatorsports.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/04/13/NOSB/73314183007-flgai-041324-ncaafb-florida-spring-game-5724-matt-pendleton.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Florida Football DT Cam Jackson
The 6-foot-6 Jackson said he is considering dropping his playing weight to 345 pounds after recording no-sack play at 360 pounds last season. An athletic tackle with a long wingspan, Jackson had 32 tackles in 11 games for Florida last season, half of which were lost tackles and pass breakups. Walter Football rates Jackson as the 13th-best defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, with him projected to be selected in the fourth to sixth rounds.
Florida football office worker Damion George Jr.
The 6-6, 350-pound George, a transfer from Alabama, started at left and right tackle at Florida during the 2023 season before moving inside to right guard. That positional versatility will be his biggest strength moving to the next level. Walter Football rates George as the eighth-best tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft class and projects him to be a fifth- to seventh-round pick.
