Drayton Florence

Drayton Florence, Jr. (born December 19, 1980) is a former American football cornerback who played eleven seasons in the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Tuskegee.

Drayton Florence
Florence playing for the Carolina Panthers in 2013.
No. 29, 21, 31
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1980-12-19) December 19, 1980
Ocala, Florida
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:193 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Vanguard Highschool
College:Tuskegee
NFL Draft:2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 46
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:486
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:4
Pass deflections:103
Interceptions:20
Defensive touchdowns:4
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Florence was also a member of the: Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos.

College career

Florence attended Tuskegee University. He was inducted into Tuskegee University Hall Of Fame in 2014 (2001–2002) after transferring from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1999–2000). He registered school-record three returns for touchdowns on interceptions at Tuskegee. As a senior, he was named first-team Division II All-America by the Associated Press and American Coaches Association. Florence is the highest drafted player to enter the NFL from Tuskegee University. Florence finished his degree at the University of North Florida with a bachelors in Sport Management.

Professional career

2003 NFL Draft

Florence was drafted by the Chargers 46th overall in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft and was the 2nd cornerback selected by Chargers that draft after Sammy Davis. He is the highest drafted NFL player from Tuskegee University

Pre-draft measureables
Ht Wt 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20 ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic
6-0¼ * 198 lb * 4.39 * 1.53 * 2.58 * X * X * 35 in. * 10'04" * 18 * X
(* represents NFL Combine)[1]

San Diego Chargers

Initially drafted as a nickel back who could fill in at safety if needed, Florence had fought his way to become a legitimate starting cornerback in the NFL across Quentin Jammer.

2007 playoffs

On Sunday, January 14, 2007 in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots after a muffed punt by wide receiver Eric Parker at the San Diego 31-yard line, Florence committed a personal foul, head-butting Patriot TE Daniel Graham following a 3rd and long play.[2] During the play, the Charger defense had stopped the Patriots for a 7-yard loss putting the ball at the Charger 37-yard line (apx. 53-yard field goal range). The result of the penalty was a Patriots first down on the Charger 18. The extension of the drive led to a Stephen Gostkowski 34 yard field goal. The Patriots went on to win the game 24-21.[3]

The NFL fined Florence $15,000 for the illegal hit he put on Houston Texans Quarterback Matt Schaub on Sunday October 28. On an interception return, he drilled Schaub from the blind side, and was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. The league ruled that on a change of possession, Florence unnecessarily made helmet-to-helmet contact with Schaub, who suffered a concussion and missed the rest of the game.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On March 1, 2008, Florence was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to a six-year $36 million contract with $13 million in guaranteed money.[4] After one season with the team he was released on February 11, 2009.[5]

Buffalo Bills

On March 3, 2009, Florence was signed by the Buffalo Bills. Florence made the starting rotation under Head Coach Dick Jauron[6]. Florence responded by leading the Bills in takeaways, including a fumble returned for a touchdown against the Bengals and an interception returned for a touchdown against Minnesota, two weeks apart.[7] He also scored the go-ahead touchdown in the Bills' victory against the New England Patriots in 2011.

On July 27, 2011, Florence re-signed with the Bills for 3 years at a total contract value of $15 million. On May 4, 2012, Florence was released.

Denver Broncos

Florence signed with the Denver Broncos on May 10, 2012 and released on Aug, 31, 2012.

Detroit Lions

Florence signed with the Detroit Lions on September 2, 2012.[8]

Carolina Panthers

Florence signed with the Carolina Panthers on March 13, 2013,[9] expecting to bring his veteran experience to help the young Panthers secondary.

On August 31, 2013, he was cut by the Panthers.[10] He was later re-signed to their roster on September 19, 2013.

Detroit Lions

On August 7, 2014, he signed with the Detroit Lions.[11] He was later released on August 19, 2014.

On May 1, 2015, he retired from the NFL and graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management.[12]

NFL career statistics
YearTeamGPCombSoloAstSackFFFRYdsIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2003SD 16202000.0000000002
2004SD 13363150.0000454144007
2005SD 13544770.00001999011
2006SD 166654120.0000324823016
2007SD 16615560.00102424010
2008JAX 15363240.0110000003
2009BUF 146049110.00001777011
2010BUF 16584990.011273421440115
2011BUF 16504190.01103642130112
2012DET 8191720.0000129292907
2013CAR 14261970.0000240203819
Career157486414720.03402027314403103

[13]

Personal life

He is the cousin of Chicago Rush wide receiver Carlos Wright.[14]

References
  1. "Drayton Florence Draft Profile", NFLDraftScout.com, archived from the original on March 12, 2012, retrieved January 18, 2010
  2. "The Marty Watch begins following Chargers' ouster". Sporting News. 2007-01-15. Archived from the original on 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  3. "Play By Play, 3rd Quarter". ESPN. 2007-01-14. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  4. "Jags sign former San Diego cornerback". 2008-03-01. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  5. Ketchman, Vic (02-11-2009). "Porter, Florence cut by Jaguars". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-15. Retrieved 02-11-2009. Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. List of Buffalo Bills head coaches
  7. Bills, CB Florence Agree to Terms Yahoo Sports, March 4, 2009
  8. Drayton Florence to sign with Lions, reports say
  9. Panthers sign veteran Drayton Florence
  11. Dunkak, Ashley. "Lions Sign Veteran Cornerback Drayton Florence". CBS Detroit. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  12. Wilson, Aaron. "Drayton Florence officially retiring from NFL, graduating from college". National Football Post. Reign Net Media. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  13. "Drayton Florence Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  14. Ultimate Jaguars Newsroom: It's a Small world 02/19/04
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