Which Former Gators Were Selected on Day 2 of the XFL Draft?
For several former Florida Gators players looking to revamp their careers, the past two days have been pretty busy.
A total of eight former Florida Gators players were selected in the inaugural XFL Draft, with four on the first day and another four on the second.
The draft was split into phases, rather than one continuous draft, in order to provide competitive balance. The first phase was the franchise quarterback phase, followed by offensive skill, offensive line, and defensive front seven on Tuesday. A defensive backs phase and an open draft of the remaining player pool were conducted on Wednesday.
Which former Florida Gators were selected on Day 2 of the XFL Draft?
Safety Will Hill (2008-10), St. Louis Battlehawks
After bouncing around the NFL, CFL, and AAF, former Gators safety Will Hill has found a home in the XFL with St. Louis.
Hill started 15 games for Florida and played in 38 in three years, posting 144 tackles, four interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. Despite a freshman campaign that earned Hill All-Freshman SEC honors, Hill went undrafted after declaring early two years later, and has dealt with numerous suspensions for substance abuse. Hopefully, Hill can get a fresh start in the XFL.
Safety Matt Elam (2010-12), DC Defenders
Following an impressive career at Florida, where he recorded 176 tackles, five sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 13 defended passes, Elam was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
But things really didn't work out for Elam in the NFL. He struggled with injuries and multiple arrests, and was out of the league in 2017. He's since played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, but was released in May. Like Hill, Elam could use a fresh start, and the XFL is giving him that.
WR Chris Thompson (2013-16) Tampa Bay Vipers
He never scored a touchdown for Florida, but teams have seen enough potential in Chris Thompson to take a chance on him.
After playing receiver and special teams, returning both kicks and playing gunner for the Gators, Thompson signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. He played in 13 games for Houston in his sole season, returning 17 kicks, six punts, and recording five catches.
However, Thompson was released the following preseason, and played for the Orlando Apollos of the AAF and spent some of the 2019 preseason with the San Francisco 49ers.
TE DeAndre Goolsby (2014-17), Tampa Bay Vipers
DeAndre Goolsby is reuniting with Chris Thompson and Martez Ivey in Tampa Bay after their time together at Florida.
In four seasons with the Gators, Goolsby hauled in 55 receptions for 619 yards and four scores, with a big senior season where he recorded 38 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns. That production landed Goolsby some time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions, but he wasn't able to stick it out in the NFL.
