2020 NFL Combine results, schedule: Florida WRs impress, Van Jefferson injured

By Adam Silverstein
February 28, 2020
2020 NFL Combine results, schedule: Florida WRs impress, Van Jefferson injured
Football

Image Credit: Twitter/GatorsFB

Eight former Florida Gators were invited to participate in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which began earlier this week. The event, which is held for six days from Feb. 23 to March 2, consists of more than 300 players being put through a series of drills, tests and interviews while more than 600 NFL personnel in attendance (coaching staffs, executives, player personnel and medical staffs) evaluate each of them. It amounts to a major job interview for these athletes ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, which is set for April 23-25.

Florida had the fourth-most players invited among its SEC peers with eight behind LSU (16), Alabama (10) and Auburn (9). Though some Gators have been there for a couple days, testing results truly began to come in Thursday.

Let’s take a look at where everyone stands as of Friday.

Wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (WO09)
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 209 lbs.
Arm length: 32 7/8″ | Hand size: 9 1/8″

40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds (T13)
Bench press: 13 reps of 225 lbs.
Vertical jump: 39.5″ (6th) | Broad jump: 126.0″ (T10)
3 cone drill: DNP | 20-yard shuttle: DNP

Analysis: Cleveland put up good numbers at the combine, consistently testing among the top-third of available wideouts. His college career did not live up to expectations from a production standpoint, but his size, reliable hands and speed should give him an opportunity in the NFL. Draft evaluators will look at how Cleveland utilizes his length and strength to create separation and whether he can set himself apart athletically as a potential gunner on special teams.

Wide receiver Van Jefferson (WO27)
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 200 lbs.
Arm length: 32 3/4″ | Hand size: 9 1/8″

Analysis: Jefferson was unable to compete in the combine drills as planned after doctors uncovered that he has a Jones fracture in his right foot. He will have surgery next week in Green Bay and be sidelined 6-8 weeks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This is unfortunate for Jefferson, who was hoping to raise his stock at the combine and Florida’ Pro Day next month. He is projected to be a Day 2 selection regardless of the fracture, but surely coming off a foot injury will somewhat hurt his draft stock.

The evaluation on Jefferson is that his versatility, competitiveness and aggressiveness make him an attractive prospect who should be able to play right away as a WR3/WR4 coming out of the draft. Coaches will look to develop him more as a vertical threat, but Jefferson’s sure hands, strong frame, agility and release against the press should all benefit him at the next level.

Wide receiver Freddie Swain (WO51)
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 197 lbs.
Arm length: 30 5/8″ | Hand size: 9″

40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds (T13)
Bench press: 16 reps of 225 lbs. (T12)
Vertical jump: 36.5″ | Broad jump: 124.0″
3 cone drill: 7.05 seconds (5th) | 20-yard shuttle: 4.26 seconds (6th)

Analysis: Swain is a Day 3 draft candidate who is looking to impress scouts with his combination of size and speed. His reliable hands and ability to seemingly always be open are attractive qualities, and he could absolutely find an opportunity right out of the gate as a special teamer and returner. One notable negative for Swain is that he catches with his body, not his arms, and he occasionally lacked physicality one-on-one.

Running back La’Mical Perine (RB22) — Friday
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 216 lbs.
Arm length: 31 5/8″ | Hand size: 10 1/4″

Bench press: 22 reps of 225 lbs. (8th)

Punter Tommy Townsend (PK07)
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 191 lbs.
Arm length: 32 1/8″ | Hand size: 9 1/8″

Gators invited to the 2020 NFL Combine
DL Jonathan Greenard (DL28) — Saturday
CB C.J. Henderson (DB15) — Sunday
DL Jabari Zuniga (DL46) — Saturday

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