Vernon Hargreaves Solidifies Top-10 Status at Gators Pro Day
GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators had their annual pro day Tuesday with representatives from all 32 NFL teams in attendance. And of course, the main attraction was All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, a graduate of Wharton High School, who did everything to solidify himself as a top-10 draft pick.
Hargreaves didn’t participate in any of the on-field testing. He sat on his 40 time from February’s NFL Scouting Combine, where he clocked a 4.50 in the 40. He also sat on his 39-inch vertical, an impressive mark for a 5-foot-11 athlete. He did, however, participate in positional work, so scouts were able to see his reaction time, his hips and getting in and out of his brakes.
Scouts could also see his frame up close, which has drawn some criticism because of his height and thicker legs, although those legs likely contribute to his ability to leap into the air and pluck balls from taller receivers.
Hargreaves admitted that he was tempted to do more once he got inside the building, once the competitive juices got flowing.
“I was satisfied with what I did at the combine, but when I got here I was like, ‘Hold on, I think I want to do more stuff,'” Hargreaves said after his workout. “But I kind of just kept it cool and did what I had to do.”
His parents and his agent had already formulated a plan, and he stuck to it, just like his NFL dream.
“As soon as I started playing football, I knew I was going to go to the NFL. That’s just how I thought, that’s what I wanted to do. I felt like that was the only way. Now I’m here, I’m excited, I’m happy with what I’ve done so far and I still have a lot more to do.”
And as far as playing for the hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who sent their defensive backs coach Jon Hoke to Gainesville to work with him?
“That would be great. That would be amazing. My mom is right down the street, so that’d be good. But, we’ll see how it plays out.”
Hargreaves has a meeting scheduled with the Bucs, who have the ninth overall pick, next month and he’ll also meet with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have the fifth overall pick.
