From 2013 to 2015, SEC teams facing the Florida Gators made sure to take note of one man, Vernon Hargraves III.
Florida coach Jon Sumrall announced Tuesday on the Florida Gators X account that Hargraves was inducted into the 2026 University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.
Through his three years in Gainesville, the former Gators defensive back made All-SEC honors every year. His lockdown ability through his three years caught the eye of NFL scouts. In his sophomore breakout season, he totaled 50 tackles, 3 interceptions and 14 passes deflected while allowing a 41.6 passer rating compared to the league average (126.8).
Following a 2015 season in which he earned All-American honors, he was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The University of Florida will host its Hall of Fame Banquet on Oct. 9. At that same banquet, Hargraves will be honored as a First-Ballot inductee to the 2026 UF Athletic Hall of Fame.
When Sumrall broke the news to Hargraves on a video call, Hargraves responded happily.
“That just made my day right there,” Hargraves said. “You don’t even know what you just did right there, coach.”
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