Florida DB Trey Dean Signing UDFA Deal with New York Jets
Another former Florida Gator has signed an undrafted free-agent deal after failing to hear his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft, following offensive lineman Richard Gouraige.
Big, physical and sometimes polarizing collegiate cover man Trey Dean III linked himself with New York Jets on Saturday night following the draft’s conclusion, the program announced.
The details of his UDFA deal are unknown.
The defensive MVP from the East-West Shrine Bowl in February after a strong week to cap his college run, Dean upped his NFL Draft stock beyond his time in Gainesville at 6-foot-2, 206 pounds. The final week of public work for Dean ended with an interception in the all-star setting. He worked his way from midway in the end zone to the goal line for the pick, returning it 16 yards.
While at Florida, Dean got plenty of reps and profiled as an up-and-down player in the secondary relative to making big plays and giving up others. In all, the Georgia native accounted for 81 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries at safety in 2022. Dean is also responsible for four career interceptions, recording a pick each season prior to his fifth and final year of eligibility.
Since arriving in 2018, Dean compiled 255 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 18 pass breakups, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 57 games at UF.
Before that point, he was considered a blue-chip recruit coming out of Hampton (Ga.) Dutchtown High School with some three-dozen scholarship offers before picking the Gators on National Signing Day. Alabama and Kentucky appeared to be the program's biggest competition for the Under Armour All-America Game selection before Dean's commitment and signature came through.
He’ll now look to earn a roster spot under defensive-oriented head coach Robert Saleh in New York.
The following Florida prospects heard their names called during the draft this year:
- QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts, first round, No. 4 overall
- DL Gervon Dexter, Chicago Bears, second round, No. 53 overall
- OL O'Cyrus Torrence, Buffalo Bills, second round, No. 59 overall
- LB Ventrell Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars, fourth round, No. 121 overall
- WR Justin Shorter, Buffalo Bills, fifth round, No. 150 overall
- LB Amari Burney, Las Vegas Raiders, sixth round, No. 203 overall
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