In his first year on the job, Florida’s new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon will have to find a replacement for one of the team’s top pass-rushers of the last two seasons, as DL Caleb Brantley has announced he will enter the NFL Draft.
Brantley had the option to leave after the 2015 season as a redshirt sophomore, but was motivated by former UF DT Jonathan Bullard to come back for another season and improve his draft stack. Brantley did just that, earning a grade of 86.4 (out of 100) from Pro Football Focus and a projection of the No. 23 overall pick by Todd McShay.
In the box score, Brantley recorded 31 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble this season, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Brantley’s constant pressure up the middle frequently made an impact even when it didn’t result in a tackle or quarterback hurry. He leaves Florida with 81 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his career.
Brantley signed with UF as a four-star defensive tackle out of Crescent City (Fla.) in 2013. He joins OL David Sharpe, CB Quincy Wilson, LB Alex Anzalone and CB Teez Tabor as early departures from Florida.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
