UCF’s Richie Grant, FSU’s Asante Samuel Jr. and Gators’ Kyle Trask selected as Day 2 of 2021 NFL Draft heats up
As the second day of the 2021 NFL Draft got underway, there were several players from the state of Florida still available for teams to take during the second and third rounds.
UCF safety Richie Grant became the latest Knight to get drafted after the defensive back was taken by the Atlanta Falcons with the 40th overall pick in the second round. He joins Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, who was selected fifth overall by the Falcons in Thursday’s first round.
Florida State didn’t have a player selected in the first round, but the Seminoles broke through with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who was taken by the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 47.
Samuel is among the top corners in this year’s draft class after finishing his FSU career with 97 tackles and 29 passed defended.
Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and defensive ends Joshua Kaindoh and Janarius Robinson along with safety Hamsah Nasirildeen may be third-round picks or they could wind up being fourth-round selections Saturday.
FSU has had at least one player drafted in each year since 1984.
After leading the nation with a school-record 43 touchdowns last season, Florida’s Kyle Trask was forced to watch as Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones all were selected within the first 15 picks of the first round Thursday.
Trask’s wait ended with the final pick in the second round after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him at No. 64. He figures to become the backup to Tom Brady, who at 43 will return to play his 19th season in 2021.
Trask wasn’t the only Gator waiting to be selected as receiver Trevon Grimes, kicker Evan McPherson, offensive lineman Stone Forsythe, defensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton and defensive backs Shawn Davis and Marco Wilson awaited their hoped-for calls.
Gators receiver Kadarius Toney had been selected on Thursday with the 20th overall pick by the New York Giants.
Miami had two players selected in the first round for the first time since 2015 with defensive ends Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins, 18) and Gregory Rousseau (Bills, 30). The Hurricanes could add a few second- or third-rounders with defensive end Quincy Roche, tight end Brevin Jordan and kicker Jose Borregales.
The New York Giants used their third-round pick to take UCF defensive back Aaron Robinson at No. 71. It’s the first time since 2018 that the Knights have had at least two players selected in the NFL draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, who made a big splash in the first round by selecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne, had three total picks in the second and third rounds.
The Jags started off the second round by selecting Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell at No. 33. Campbell was a 5-star prospect out of Fort Lauderdale. They added Stanford tackle Walker Little a little bit later at No. 45 and Syracuse safety Andre Cisco at No. 66.
The Miami Dolphins, who selected Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle and UM’s Phillips on the first day, took Oregon safety Jevon Holland with the 36th pick and Notre Dame tackle Liam Eichenberg at No. 42. They added Boston College tight end Hunter Long in the third round at No. 81.
The Buccaneers selected Notre Dame guard Robert Hainsey with its final spot in the third round at No. 95.
The third and final day of the draft begins Saturday at noon with a few players from the state of Florida still hoping to hear their names called.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.
