Florida RB Jeff Demps files paperwork with NFL

Former Florida Gators running back Jeff Demps, who decided on Jan. 12 to give up football in order to concentrate on his career as a sprinter, has “signed a standard representation agreement for football” and filed the necessary paperwork to play in the NFL according to NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport.

Just days after winning a silver medal as part of the first round team for the United States the Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay in the 2012 London Olympics, Demps has decided to go back to the sport that he once called his first love.

Demps, who was invited but did not choose to attend the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, was not selected in the 2012 NFL Draft even as a flier at the end of the third day. Due to these circumstances, he immediately becomes a free agent who can be signed by any team in the league that is interested in his services.

Though his size has always been an issue at 5’8” and 190 lbs., Demps’s straight-line speed is something that undoubtedly has teams drooling about his potential even if they decide he can only be used as a returner and occasional offensive player.

That is why his decision to give the NFL a shot is not much of a surprise, especially because he would always have enough time to change his mind again and get back into track shape a year or two before the 2016 Rio Olympics are set to begin.

As OGGOA wrote on Jan. 12:

When the Olympics are over, whether or not Demps brings home a medal, his playing experience with the Gators could always afford him an opportunity at one day playing in the NFL.

TAMPA BAY THE EARLY LEADER?

According to PewterReport.com, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are “seriously interested” in signing Demps and were in contact with him before he was named as an injury replacement for Team USA in the Olympics.

In fact, the Bucs came close to signing Demps this summer when he failed to qualify for the Olympics. […] Instead of signing with the Bucs in July, Demps wanted to focus on racing in the Olympics and then concentrate on football in August.

The site also reports that Demps, if signed by Tampa Bay, would be used “as a slot receiver and a running back on offense and as a kick returner on special teams.”

Photo Credit: John Raoux/Associated Press