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Florida junior cornerback Marcus Roberson will leave school and enter the 2014 NFL Draft, according to The Gainesville Sun's Pat Dooley.
Marcus Roberson leaving Florida, UF will announce later today.
— Pat Dooley (@pat_dooley) January 3, 2014
Roberson was the starting cornerback on the other side of Loucheiz Purifoy throughout 2013, but only played in seven games for the Gators while dealing with knee and ankle injuries. Roberson was also suspended for Florida's loss to South Carolina.
However, Roberson's lack of film from his junior season isn't likely to affect his NFL Draft stock all that much: He's been projected as a late first-rounder by many NFL Draft writers since the end of the 2012 season, and maintained that esteem this fall despite his spotty playing time. If he can show he's healthy and test well in the pre-Draft process, he's likely to be selected in the first or second round come April.
Count on Roberson's good size and physical coverage skills being lauded throughout that process, and bet on hearing that he needs to become more disciplined in coverage. NFL teams and pundits will notice the flags that flew often for defensive pass interference on Roberson, who never shook the problem that plagued him even when he was starting as a true freshman during his three years at Florida.
Roberson's early departure would make him the sixth Florida player and third defensive back to leave early for the NFL under Will Muschamp. We wish him well.
