Florida’s Kyree Campbell declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Florida Gators senior defensive tackle Kyree Campbell will enter the 2021 NFL Draft, he announced on Twitter on Thursday.

Campbell did not play in the 2020 Cotton Bowl, and his presence was sorely missed by a Florida defense that gave up over 400 rushing yards to Oklahoma and mustered just one sack of Spencer Rattler.

But while he was a crucial part of the Florida front seven during his time as a Gator, Campbell’s NFL prospects aren’t exactly clear. He’s unlikely to go on Day 1 or Day 2 of the 2021 event, and while it’s possible he could get a team or two to swoon over his potential, especially with a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, his profile is that of a workmanlike block-occupier more than a game-changing disruptor.

In four years at Florida, the final three of which were spent starting more often than not, Campbell never recorded 40 tackles or more than four tackles for loss in a season. Game film evaluated with his tasks as an interior lineman in mind should reveal him as a very good player for the Gators regardless of that lack of production, but Campbell’s going to be competing for consideration with dozens of players who may outstrip him athletically or statistically.

Still, his decision to go pro rather than take up the NCAA on its offer of a do-over after the COVID-19-abridged 2020 season is likely to end up being a fruitful one, as it’s hard to imagine Campbell not at least ending up on an NFL roster for training camp in 2021. Making even the relatively small sums afforded to players on the NFL margins is a massive step up from playing for compensation that mostly comes in forms other than cash for collegians.

We wish Campbell the best of luck in his professional football career.