GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 2025 NFL Draft is over, but as I glance up at the TV on a wall inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, they are still talking about Shedeur Sanders on ESPN.

Don’t expect a reverse call any time soon. Never has a fifth-round draft pick commanded so much attention, and if you look close enough, it appears there might even be a hair out of place on Mel Kiper Jr.‘s slicked-back do.

While Sanders’ drop in the draft consumed much of the coverage, how many mock drafts had Gators WR Chimere Dike and DT Cam Jackson going ahead of Sanders? I think we all know the answer: Sharif Denson‘s jersey number (0).

The Gators were quiet on the first two days of the draft, but they had seven players selected on Saturday during the final four rounds. Five Gators also signed deals as undrafted free agents in hopes of making a roster over the summer.

For now, let’s review where the players landed and analyze their chances of being on a roster in 2025:

 

WR CHIMERE DIKE

The Tennessee Titans used the first pick of the fourth round (103rd overall) to make Dike the first UF player off the board. Dike spent only one season at Florida after transferring from Wisconsin, but it was a very productive one. He led the Gators with 42 catches and ranked second with a career-high 783 receiving yards. Dike also starred on special teams and boosted his draft stock by running a 4.34 in the 40 at the NFL Combine.

“I think it showed another facet that I am able to offer,” Dike said Saturday. “I’m really confident in my game. Whatever the Titans have in store for me, whether it’s special teams, short game, intermediate, deep routes, I am going to work my tail off every day to help make this organization better.”

Dike joins a position group that features Calvin Ridley and newcomer Tyler Lockett, who signed with Tennessee last week after being released by Seattle. Those two are the projected starters, but Dike is in the running to be the third receiver in a mix that includes former Gators wideout Van Jefferson, Bryce Oliver and Mason Kinsey. The Titans also drafted Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor and signed Miami’s Xavier Restrepo as an undrafted free agent. Dike’s ability to return punts and play special teams should get him on the field as a rookie, and if he plays as well as he did at Florida, look for him to catch passes from No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward in coming seasons.

 

Excerpts from @GatorsFB receiver Chimere Dike’s @chimdk11 conference call with @Titans media. pic.twitter.com/mBiYcBPLXV

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) April 26, 2025

 

DT CAM JACKSON

The 6-foot-6, 342-pound Jackson played two seasons at UF after transferring from Memphis. He led all UF interior defensive linemen with 37 tackles a season ago, including four tackles-for-loss. The Carolina Panthers used a fifth-round pick (140th overall) on Jackson to bolster a defense that ranked last in the NFL against the run in 2024.

Jackson rejoins former UF teammates Princely Umanmielen and Trevor Etienne in Carolina. Carolina selected Umanmielen in the third round and Etienne in the fourth.

Meanwhile, Jackson projects as a third-team option as a rookie at nose tackle behind recent free-agent addition Bobby Brown III and backup Shy Tuttle.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan, a former linebacker, considers Jackson a young player who can help the team as he develops.

“Obviously, the size and length first and foremost,” Morgan told reporters. “Like when you see him in person and in his pads, I mean, that’s a big man, a big long man. He takes up a lot of room, occupies a lot of blocks, he’s going to keep our linebackers free.

“But I don’t think many people realize just how mobile he is for a big guy. He can get up and down the line of scrimmage and make plays out on the perimeter. So yeah, he’s not just a big man and space-eater; he can move a little bit now, too.”

 

If you’re looking for an overarching theme from Day 3 of the Panthers draft, how about this.

Dan Morgan wanted to fix the league’s worst run defense. He threw about a half a ton of Cam Jackson, Bobby Brown, and Tershawn Wharton at it.https://t.co/3UGyEx8VMH

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) April 26, 2025

 

---

CB JASON MARSHALL JR.

The Miami Dolphins used a fifth-round pick (150th overall) on Marshall, a Miami native who starred at Palmetto High before signing with the Gators. Marshall played in 45 games for the Gators and finished with 98 tackles, two interceptions and 25 passes defended.

Once a projected first-round pick, Marshall was inconsistent at UF and missed the final six games of last season with a shoulder injury. Still, Marshall has a golden opportunity in front of him with the Dolphins, who need help at cornerback. The Dolphins recently cut Kendall Fuller and veteran Jalen Ramsey has requested a trade.

That leaves Miami with experienced cornerbacks Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, Artie Burns Jr., plus developmental players Isaiah Johnson, Ryan Cooper Jr., and Jason Maitre. Marshall is projected to play behind Duck and Smith heading into the preseason.

 

LB SHEMAR JAMES

James’ decision to bypass his final year of eligibility resulted in Dallas selecting him in the fifth round, two picks after Miami selected Marshall. The 6-foot-1, 222-pound James is a speedy middle linebacker that the NFL currently covets.

He is expected to see the playing field as a rookie as a backup behind former Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn, who signed with the Cowboys after three seasons in Chicago where he played for new Dallas defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The Cowboys also have veterans Buddy Johnson and Darius Harris currently at the position.

James also has the athleticism and willingness to play special teams if that means getting on the field sooner.

“I played special teams all three years I was at Florida, and that’s something that I don’t take lightly,” James told reporters Saturday. “I’m excited for it.”

 

P JEREMY CRAWSHAW

Crawshaw was the only punter selected in the draft, going to Denver in the sixth round. Crawshaw’s taste for wearing cowboy hats – and his booming punts – will fit in perfect in the Mile High City.

Crawshaw is expected to battle veteran Matt Haack for the job. The Broncos recently signed Haack as a free agent after he played in four games last season for the New York Giants.

 

QB GRAHAM MERTZ

One of the highlights on the third day of the draft was Houston selecting Mertz in the sixth round (197th overall pick). Mertz played two seasons with the Gators after transferring from Wisconsin.

He played in only five games as a senior due to a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in a loss at Tennessee. Still, Mertz attacked rehab and was able to perform drills in front of NFL personnel at UF’s Pro Day in March.

Most figured Mertz to sign as an undrafted free agent, so when the Texas used a sixth-round pick on him, the moment went viral on social media.

“It means everything,” Mertz said. “I went on a visit there and obviously met with everybody, and they’re just great people. You know what they’re about. You know what you’re going to get with the team. Hearing that Houston picked me really fired me up.”

 

the moment @GrahamMertz5 became a #HoustonTexan 🤘 pic.twitter.com/4QnluvC8BB

— Equity Sports (@EquitySports) April 27, 2025

Mertz joins a quarterback room that features starter C.J. Stroud, incumbent backup Davis Mills and third-stringer Kedon Slovis.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio explained Mertz’s appeal to the Houston Chronicle.

“Good demeanor, good presence, [he] has good leadership, good size. Throws a pretty good ball,” Caserio said. “So, the type of player that we felt had some traits and characteristics at that position that we wanted to work with.”

 

DB TRIKWEZE BRIDGES

The final UF player selected in the draft, Bridges went to the Los Angeles Chargers with the penultimate selection (256th overall). Bridges, after transferring from Oregon, started the final seven games last season and led the Gators in tackles (70). Bridges added a pair of interceptions and at 6-foot-2, offers size and physicality to help defend the run game.

The Chargers have interest in Bridges’ ability to play cornerback or safety.

“I see myself as both,” Bridges told Chargers.com on Saturday. “One of the safeties that could come down, play man to man or play zone. Do whatever it takes to put the team in a better position and get off the field, give the offense the ball back.”

As a late-round draft pick, Bridges’ best shot to get on the field as a rookie is likely special teams. The Chargers have a deep secondary with Cam Hart and Donte Jackson currently projected to start at corner, and Alohi Gilman, Derwin James Jr. and Tarheeb Still at safety and nickelback. The initial depth chart with Bridges’ addition has him playing behind Still and Ja’Sir Taylor at the nickel position.

 

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS

WR Elijhah Badger: If there was a Gator whom most expected to be drafted and wasn’t, it’s Badger. The talented deep threat led the Gators in receiving yards (806) in his only season at UF after transferring from Arizona State. Badger landed in a good spot, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. If you’re a young receiver looking to make your mark, having Patrick Mahomes as your quarterback is a great place to start.



DL Desmond Watson: The Bucs signed hometown product Watson after the draft. Watson has shed 27 pounds since checking in at 464 pounds at UF’s Pro Day. He needs to lose at least 40-50 more to likely have a shot in the NFL. Whether he ever plays a snap in the NFL, Watson has an opportunity to prove he can trim down and show what he can do on the field.



UT Ja’Markis Weston: Weston played offense and defense for the Gators but made his mark on special teams, and that’s why the New York Jets signed him. Don’t be surprised if Weston makes the roster as a special-teams weapon.



OL Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson: The Titans signed Crenshaw-Dickson after the draft, and according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the deal includes $245,000 of guaranteed money. That means Tennessee views Crenshaw-Dickson as a real development piece, which is a nice landing spot for the former San Diego State transfer who started in his only season with the Gators.



RB Montrell Johnson Jr.: A four-year starter in college, three seasons at UF and one at Louisiana, Johnson signed with the Eagles. Philadelphia has a talented backfield led by Saquon Barkley. He is backed up by Will Shipley, AJ Dillon and Avery Williams. Where does Johnson fit? Hard to say. The Eagles also inked Arkansas running back ShunDerrick Powell as an UDFA. Johnson figures to be a long shot to make the 53-man roster, but he is proven producer and likely will get another look if he is unable to stick in Philly.