Ricky Pearsall extended Florida’s streak of having at least one player drafted every year since 1952. In a triumph of good coaching and top tier work ethic, he earned his way into the first round. That extended a streak of at least one Gator taken in the first round in the past five seasons: CJ Henderson in 2020, Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney in 2021, Kaiir Elam in 2022, Anthony Richardson in 2023, and Pearsall in 2024.
And then… nothing. No other Gators heard their names called. UF produced just one draft pick in 2024. Pearsall going in the first round at least makes it feel more legit than extending the scoring streak with a single safety or last-minute field goal, although Pearsall was a transfer and not a high school signee to the program.