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*Walt taking 2014 and 2018

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Florida DL Taven Bryan to Enter 2018 NFL Draft

After a breakout season to become one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC, Florida Gators defensive lineman Taven Bryan will enter the 2018 NFL Draft according to multiple sources. On top of having a good season on the field, the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Bryan is known to be an excellent athlete who is expected to post impressive numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine and in pre-draft workouts. With the Gators not eligible to play in a Bowl game, Bryan has played his last contest for Florida.

In 2017, Bryan totaled 40 tackles with six tackles for a loss and four sacks. He was superb against Texas A&M while also having other impressive games including contests versus LSU and Florida State. Growing up in Wyoming, Bryan had a late start in football. He redshirted with Florida in 2014 and was a backup who started one game a year later. In 2016, he started two games and rotated onto the field. Over those two seasons, he totaled 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

In reaching out to scouts at NFL teams, multiple sources say they believe that Bryan will be a first- or second-round pick. While TV announcers were quick to compare Bryan to J.J. Watt during Gators games this season, scouts say they see a better comparison to the Chiefs' Chris Jones or the Broncos' Derek Wolfe. Both of them were second-round picks. Teams believe that Bryan has the flexibility to be a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense or play five-technique defensive end in a 3-4. If he impresses in the pre-draft workouts as expected, Bryan could easily end up being a Thursday night selection next April.