Florida WR Kadarius Toney becomes third to skip 2020 Cotton Bowl, declare for 2021 NFL Draft

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Image Credit: GatorsFB / Twitter

Florida Gators senior wide receiver Kadarius Toney announced Monday that he will skip the 2020 Cotton Bowl and begin preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft rather than play what could have been the final game of his college career. He will be the third Gators playmaker stepping aside ahead of the bowl game.

“After conversations with my family and coaches, I have decided to tart my training for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Toney wrote.

After dealing with injuries and inconsistencies despite flashes of brilliance over the first three years of his career, Toney exploded in his senior season. He caught 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2020, rushing for 161 more yards and another score on 19 carries.

Toney finishes his Florida career with 2,170 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns with 186 touches overall. He also threw six passes, including a 20-yard touchdown in 2018, and had a 50-yard punt return touchdown earlier this season. Toney returned 21 kickoffs and 13 punts in his career.

“Florida football has been an instrumental part of my life these last four years and has made me a better man, preparing me for life both on and off the field,” he wrote. “… I would like to thank my family, the Florida Gator coaching staff both past and present, my teammates, the training and support staff and all of Gator Nation.

“I am so thankful to have been a part of the Florida program and will be forever grateful for my time in Gainesville. I cannot imagine another program better preparing me for the next step in my career. It’s always a great day to be a Florida Gator!!! Thank you Gator Nation.”

Toney joins junior tight end Kyle Pitts and senior WR Trevon Grimes as Florida players who will not suit up for the Cotton Bowl. Redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Trask has been seen practicing with the Gators ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma Sooners and previously said he would play.