DT Sharrif Floyd signs rookie deal with Vikings

Former Florida Gators defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd officially fulfilled his dream by signing his four-year rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday.

Floyd, the No. 23 overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, was the first former Gators player selected but the last to agree to terms with his respective team.

Though terms of his deal have not been released, the contract will be worth approximately $8.1 million with a $4.3 million signing bonus, according to the rookie wage scale set annually under terms of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the player’s union.

Projected by many analysts to be the best defensive tackle available in April, Floyd was expected to be a top-five overall pick. Instead, he was drafted third at his position by Minnesota, which believes it got a steal in a man with great talent and character.

“We all said it would be a no-brainer [to draft Floyd], and it turned out to be just that. There was no hesitation,” said head coach Leslie Frazier on April 25.

A starter with the Gators for two seasons, Floyd shifted from tackle to defensive end and back to tackle throughout his three-year career. He shined in 2012, recording 46 tackles including a team-high 13.0 for lost yardage. His three sacks and six quarterback hurries were each second-most for Florida.

Floyd was the first Gators defensive tackle chosen since Marcus Thomas (2007) and the first Florida player to be selected in the first round since 2011.