Jameis Winston headlines 7 first-rounders from Sunshine State schools
The Sunshine State's Big Four went 4 for 4 on Thursday.
Florida State, Florida and Miami each had a top-10 pick, the first time that the three schools had first-round NFL draft picks in the same year since 2007. And UCF also had a first-rounder for a second straight year.
It's the first time that the state's Big Four each had a first-round draft pick in the same draft.
Florida State, Florida and Miami had a pair of first-round picks in what was a banner night for the Sunshine State teams. Those selections gave the state's college football programs seven of the 32 first-round picks. And it more than doubles the three picks produced by state schools in 2014.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the night off by taking former Florida State star Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick. Two picks later, the Jacksonville Jaguars tabbed former Florida standout defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. And Miami completed the trifecta when offensive lineman Ereck Flowers, an exceptional run blocker, was picked by the New York Giants at No. 9.
"We're excited about Ereck Flowers," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He's a battleship, an aircraft carrier. Strongest guy in the draft. Outstanding feet."
The three picks were part of a busy night, which also included Florida State offensive lineman Cameron Erving going to Cleveland at No. 19 and Florida offensive tackle D.J. Humphries heading to Arizona at No. 24. Both bring plenty of experience to the table: Erving is an All-American with 42 starts and can play any offensive line position, and Humphries is an athletic blocker who could play either tackle spot.
"The guy played left tackle last year at Florida State and then during the middle of the season got pushed and had never snapped the ball and went to offensive center and looked like he was an All-Pro center and had never played the position," Browns GM Ray Farmer said of Erving. "The versatility that the guy provides is unique."
UCF's Breshard Perriman climbed draft analysts' boards after a scalding 4.25 time in the 40 at the Knights' pro day. Perriman, who had 2,243 career receiving yards, was taken with the No. 26 pick by Baltimore and will give quarterback Joe Flacco another valuable target.
"He brings an element to our offense that plays into Joe's strength in that he can be a vertical threat, but he also has the ability to run the full route tree," Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said of Perriman.
Hurricanes receiver Phillip Dorsett completed the state's picks when he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 29 pick. Dorsett, known for his blazing speed and ability to rack up yards after the catch, had 2,132 career receiving yards at Miami and he joins an offense in Indianapolis that's loaded with talent, led by All-Pro quarterback Andrew Luck.
Winston gives Florida State its first No. 1 overall pick. Flowers is the highest Hurricane to be drafted since the Arizona Cardinals picked Antrel Rolle at No. 8 in 2005. Perriman is the third first-round pick from UCF, following Blake Bortles (No. 3 in 2014, Jacksonville Jaguars) and Daunte Culpepper (No. 11 in 1999, Minnesota Vikings).
The Sunshine State also has a large group of prospects among the top prospects who are likely to be snapped up when the draft continues with the second and third rounds Friday night. Among the potential draft picks: defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. and cornerbacks P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby of Florida State, along with linebacker Denzel Perryman of Miami.
