Round 5 – No. 159
Riley Cooper, WR
Philadelphia Eagles

Height: 6’3″ – Weight: 222 lbs.
Age: 22 – Class: Senior

His solid showings at the 2010 Senior Bowl, 2010 NFL Scouting Combine and University of Florida‘s Pro Day left many believing he would be taken in the second day of the 2010 NFL Draft. Instead, former Florida Gators wide receiver Riley Cooper fell until the fifth round before being scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 159 overall selection.

Marred with injuries at the beginning of his Florida career, Cooper left the Gators with 81 receptions for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns. He started every game his senior season, hauling in 51 balls for 961 yards and nine scores as the team’s top wide receiver.

The selection of Cooper marks the second-straight year Philadelphia has picked a Florida pass catcher in the fifth round. The Eagles chose tight end Cornelius Ingram (who sat out the season after re-injuring his ACL) with the No. 153 overall pick in 2009.

Cooper was the ninth former Gator selected this year’s draft (tops of any school), and the seventh Florida receiver chosen since 2006.

Tags: combine, Cornelius Ingram, Draft, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pro Day, Riley Cooper, Senior Bowl, University of Florida

One of the best – if not the best – tight ends in the history of Florida Gators football, Aaron Hernandez’s decision to enter the 2010 NFL Draft appears to have been the right one. Unfortunately for his school, the move has left a hole at the position on the team’s offensive line.

Three freshmen – four-star Gerald Christian and redshirts Desmond Parks and converted quarterback Jordan Reed – are up for the job and working each day during spring practice to catch the staff’s collective eye. Unfortunately for Parks, an injured wrist that requires surgery is keeping him out for the time being, leaving Christian and Reed to compete for the spot.

Though Reed is certainly athletic and could end up making a quick Cornelius Ingram-like transformation, Christian is the favorite to land the job due to his combination of size (6’3” 240 lbs.), strength (21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press) and speed (4.65-second 40-yard dash). Simply put: he has the pedigree.

“It’s exciting,” Christian told The Gainesville Sun of having a chance to play early. “One of my goals coming here was to play early. I’m hoping I can come in and win a spot. I want to come out and work as hard as I can and do whatever I can to help the team. I’m going to come out here and compete and try to get my spot. I’m not lying down for anybody.”

However, nothing is set in stone and the team appears to be pleased with the early progress of all three players. Do not expect a decision to be made anytime soon.

Photo Credit: Allen Eyestone/Palm Beach Post

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Cornelius Ingram, Desmond Parks, Draft, Gerald Christian, Jordan Reed, NFL

The 2000s were quite a decade for University of Florida athletics. Florida Gators football and basketball were especially exceptional, combining for four National Championships (five appearances) and five Southeastern Conference Championships (six appearances) while earning five BCS bowl game and eight NCAA Tournament berths, respectively, over the last ten years. To end this decade of champions, OGGOA has compiled our own Gators All-Decade Team for each sport.

Continue Reading » OGGOA Presents: Florida Gators All-Decade Team

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Ahmad Black, Al Horford, Alex Brown, All-Decade, Andre Caldwell, Anthony Grant, Anthony Roberson, BCS, Ben Troupe, Billy Donovan, Billy Latsko, Brandon James, Brandon Siler, Brandon Spikes, Channing Crowder, Charlie Strong, Chas Henry, Chris Leak, Ciatrick Fason, Corey Brewer, Cornelius Ingram, Dan Mullen, David Lee, Derek Harvey, Drew Miller, Earnest Graham, Eric Rutledge, Eric Wilbur, Ian Scott, Jabar Gaffney, James Smith, Jarvis Moss, Jeff Chandler, Joakim Noah, Joe Haden, Keiwan Ratliff, Lito Sheppard, Major Wright, Marcus Thomas, Matt Bonner, Maurkice Pouncey, Max Starks, Mike Degory, Mike Pearson, Mike Pouncey, National Championship, NCAA Tournament, Percy Harvin, Phil Trautwein, Ray McDonald, Reggie Nelson, Rex Grossman, SEC Championship, Shannon Snell, Taylor Jacobs, Tim Tebow, Todd Johnson, University of Florida, Urban Meyer