The Untold Legends: Unveiling the Fate of 15 Florida Gators Football Players Post Urban Meyer Era

Summary

Urban Meyer's coaching style revolutionized the fortunes of the Florida Gators, propelling them from a struggling team to become one of the most dominant forces in college football. Under Meyer's tutelage, the Gators secured two national championships in 2006 and 2008.

The Netflix docuseries Untold: Swamp Kings offers exclusive insight into the inner workings and mindset of the legendary Florida Gators team, known for producing numerous successful NFL players. Among them is Tim Tebow, a renowned player from the University of Florida, who experienced a highly successful college career but faced challenges in meeting the high NFL expectations. Subsequently, he transitioned to a career in baseball before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end in 2021.

The Netflix docuseries Untold: Swamp Kings delves into the impactful Urban Meyer era of college football at Florida University. Meyer, who served as the head coach of the Florida Gators from 2005 to 2010, played a major role in the team's remarkable turnaround and establishment as a dominant force in college football. Under Meyer's guidance, the Florida Gators achieved a remarkable 65-15 win-loss record, securing two national championships in 2006 and 2008, out of their three in total. However, since then, the team has not reached the national championship game.

Meyer's coaching style was characterized by its demanding nature, pushing his players to strive for excellence. By selecting star quarterback Tim Tebow, Meyer attracted numerous talented players to Florida University. His no-nonsense and relentless tactics proved instrumental in revitalizing a struggling organization within the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC), widely regarded as one of the toughest in college football. Through this captivating documentary series, viewers gain unprecedented access to the locker room dynamics and overall mentality of one of college football's most renowned teams, which produced several notable NFL stars.

15 Major Wright

14 Dallas Baker

Major Wright, a former free safety for the Florida Gators, achieved great success during his tenure from 2007 to 2009. Notably, he proudly secured a BCS National Championship title in 2008 before embarking on his NFL journey. Following his collegiate career, Wright was chosen in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He dedicated four seasons to the Bears from 2010 to 2013, showcasing his exceptional skills on the field. Subsequently, Wright became an integral part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons, concluding his fruitful playing career after the 2016 NFL season.

Dallas Baker, a former wide receiver, played for the Florida Gators from 2003 to 2006. During his time at Florida, Baker was a valuable member of the team that won the National Championship in 2006, led by coach Urban Meyer. After his college career, Baker entered the NFL Draft in 2007 and was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round. He spent three seasons with the Steelers before transitioning to the Arena Football League in 2010, where he played for the Jacksonville Sharks. Currently, Baker serves as the wide receivers coach at Baylor University.

13 Chris Rainey

Chris Rainey, a former wide receiver for the Florida Gators from 2007 to 2011, was part of the esteemed 2008 National Championship Florida team led by Urban Meyer. In 2012, Rainey entered the NFL Draft and was chosen as the 159th overall pick in the fifth round. Unfortunately, his time with the team came to an end in 2013 when he was released due to an arrest on a battery charge involving a young woman. Despite this setback, Rainey briefly played for the Indiana Colts in 2013 and later joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad before ultimately concluding his NFL career in 2014.

12 Brandon James

From 2006 to 2009, Brandon James showcased his exceptional skills as a wide receiver for the Florida Gators. During that time, James achieved the remarkable feat of being named an All-American twice and was an integral part of the team's triumph in two national championships, under the coaching guidance of Urban Meyer. Additionally, he exhibited his versatility as a sprinter, participating in the 100m and 200m events for the Florida Gators track & field team. Although James garnered significant recognition during his college career, he did not receive an opportunity to join the NFL through the draft. Nevertheless, he did secure a spot on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad in 2010 and even briefly held a position on the team's active roster as a kick and punt returner. To this day, however, James has yet to make an appearance in an official NFL game.

11 Tate Casey

Tate Casey, a former tight end for the Florida Gators from 2004 to 2008, had an impressive college career. He played a pivotal role in both the 2006 and 2008 National Championships, under the guidance of coach Urban Meyer. However, Casey chose not to pursue professional football after college. Instead, he embarked on a new path and became a highly skilled spine specialist. With over twelve years of experience in neurosurgery, Casey has carved out a successful career in this field. Additionally, he currently serves as a sideline analyst for the Florida Gators IMG Sports Network, showcasing his extensive knowledge and passion for the game.

10 Reggie Nelson

Reggie Nelson, a former free safety for the Florida Gators, showcased his talent and skill from 2005 to 2006. As an integral part of the 2006 National Championship team, this All-American player was recognized as the Most Valuable Player by his teammates. Following his college career, Nelson embarked on a successful journey in the NFL. In 2007, he was drafted as the 21st overall pick in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over the course of his professional career, Nelson spent four seasons with the Jaguars, six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, and two seasons with the Oakland Raiders. His exceptional performance earned him Pro Bowl selections in both 2015 and 2016.

9 Janoris Jenkins

Janoris Jenkins, an NFL player, began his journey as a cornerback for the Florida Gators from 2008 to 2010. During his time at Florida, he achieved great success as a member of the 2008 National Championship team led by coach Urban Meyer. However, his tenure with the Gators came to an abrupt end in 2011 when he was dismissed from the team following an arrest for possession of marijuana.

Undeterred, Jenkins transferred to the University of North Alabama to continue his football career. His determination paid off when he was chosen as the 39th overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in the 2012 NFL Draft, joining the team in the second round. Jenkins showcased his skills and talent during his four seasons with the Rams.

In 2016, he embarked on a new chapter of his professional career as he signed with the New York Giants. Jenkins proved to be a valuable asset to the Giants' defense from 2016 until 2019. However, his tenure with the Giants eventually came to an end.

As of 2023, Janoris Jenkins remains a free agent in the highly competitive NFL. Throughout his career, he has showcased his abilities while playing for multiple teams, including the Saints, Titans, and 49ers, between 2020 and 2022.

8 Joe Haden

Joe Haden, a former cornerback for the Florida Gators from 2007 to 2009, had a remarkable college career. He was a key member of the 2008 National Championship team guided by coach Urban Meyer. Haden's talents did not go unnoticed, as he was selected as the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He dedicated eight seasons to the Browns, showcasing his exceptional skills on the field. Haden's outstanding performance earned him Pro Bowl selections in 2013, 2014, and 2019. After spending three seasons as a Pittsburgh Steeler, Haden ultimately decided to retire in 2022. However, he did so in a touching manner by signing a one-day contract with the Cleveland Browns, the team that he had dedicated a significant portion of his career to.

7 Brandon Siler

Brandon Siler, a linebacker for the Florida Gators from 2004 to 2006, played a pivotal role in the team's 2006 National Championship victory under coach Urban Meyer. In the 2007 NFL Draft, Siler was chosen as the 240th overall pick in the seventh round by the San Diego Chargers. In 2008, he made an significant impact as part of the Chargers' special teams defensive unit. After joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011, Siler unfortunately suffered an Achilles injury that led to his absence from the field. However, he made a comeback in his final NFL season in 2012, participating in sixteen games.

6 Brandon Spikes

Brandon Spikes, a highly accomplished linebacker for the Florida Gators from 2006 to 2009, earned the prestigious honor of being a two-time All-American. He played a pivotal role in both National Championship victories under the guidance of coach Urban Meyer. In the 2010 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots recognized Spikes' immense talent and selected him as the 62nd overall pick in the second round. His skill and dedication earned him a spot in Super Bowl XLVI, where the Patriots unfortunately fell short against the Giants. Following his tenure with the Patriots, Spikes joined the Buffalo Bills in 2014, capping off his remarkable NFL career with them in 2016.

5 Jordan Reed

Jordan Reed started his football career as a quarterback before becoming a tight end for the Florida Panthers from 2009 to 2012. In the 2013 NFL draft, Reed was selected by the Washington Redskins as the 85th overall pick in the third round. After seven seasons with the Redskins, who later rebranded as the Commanders in 2020, Reed joined the 49ers in 2020. Unfortunately, Reed's career was affected by multiple concussions, ultimately leading to his retirement in 2021.

4 Aaron Hernandez

From 2007 to 2009, Aaron Hernandez showcased his talent as a tight end for the Florida Gators. His contributions were vital to the success of the 2008 National Championship team. However, his excessive drug use during his time at Florida led to his early entry into the 2010 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots selected him as the 113th overall pick in the fourth round, where he played alongside legendary figures like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski for three seasons. Tragically, in 2013, Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and was given a life sentence in prison. His story took a devastating turn in 2017 when he died by suicide while incarcerated in a Massachusetts prison.

3 Percy Harvin

Percy Harvin, who played as a wide receiver at Florida from 2006 to 2008, made significant contributions to both National Championship teams led by Urban Meyer. Following his collegiate career, Harvin was selected as the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, where he showcased his talents for four seasons. Within his debut year, he earned the esteemed title of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and secured a spot in the Pro Bowl. In 2013, Harvin was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, with whom he triumphantly clinched a Super Bowl victory during the same year. Subsequently, he played a single season for the Jets and two seasons with the Bills before concluding his professional football journey with his retirement in 2017.

2 Cam Newton

Considered by many as the most accomplished NFL player to emerge from the Urban Meyer era of Florida University football, Cam Newton made headlines when he transferred from Florida in 2008 amidst allegations of academic dishonesty. However, he went on to lead Auburn University to their first National Championship in over five decades. Following this triumph, Newton's exceptional talent earned him the distinction of being selected as the overall number one pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, subsequent to his remarkable achievement of winning the Heisman Trophy. Notably, he was recognized as the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and was crowned the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2015 after leading the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. Although he has predominantly played for the Panthers throughout his career, Newton briefly joined the Patriots in 2020.

1 Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow, renowned as one of Florida University's most legendary football players, achieved immense success during his college career as the Gators' quarterback from 2006 to 2009. His remarkable achievements include winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007, earning the distinction of being a two-time All-American and SEC Offensive Player of the Year. In the 2013 NFL Draft, Tebow was selected as the 25th overall pick in the first round by the Denver Broncos.

Despite high expectations, Tebow's performance during his two seasons with the Broncos fell short. As a result, he was traded to the Jets in 2012 but was subsequently released in 2013. Following brief preseason stints with the Patriots and Eagles, Tebow transitioned to playing in the minor league affiliates of the New York Mets. In 2021, he made the decision to retire from baseball. Recently, Tebow joined the Jaguars, coached by Urban Meyer, as a tight end. Additionally, he has contributed to the field of sports as an analyst and commentator for ESPN. Tebow's legacy as a Florida Gator is celebrated and immortalized in the documentary Untold: Swamp Kings.