New York Jets wide receiver Quentin Skinner (39) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (89) and linebacker Shemar James (50) during the first half Sunday at MetLife Stadium. [Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images]

Gators in NFL: Rookie Shines in Week 5

While Kyle Pitts took a trip south to The Swamp to watch his alma mater upset the Texas Longhorns, all while his Atlanta Falcons had a bye week, his fellow former Florida players represented UF on the NFL field.

Here are the former UF players who stood out in Week 5 of the NFL:

Shemar James

After the Cowboys drafted the linebacker in the fifth round of April’s draft, James had a breakout game Sunday against the Jets. The linebacker, who came into the game after teammate Jack Sanborn suffered a concussion, had 15 tackles.

Alex Anzalone

The Detroit Lions linebacker, who played for the Gators from 2013-16, got his first interception of the season in a 37-24 win against the Bengals. Anzalone also had three total tackles (two solo and one assisted).

Evan McPherson

On the other side of the field from Anzalone, the former Florida kicker and the Cincinnati Bengals took on the Lions. McPherson went 3 for 3 on extra points and made a 50-yard field goal. He has yet to miss a field goal or extra point this season.

Dante Fowler Jr.

The Dallas defensive end got his first sack of the season during the Cowboys’ victory against the winless New York Jets. The sack brought Fowler’s career total to 56.5 over 11 years, with his best season coming in 2019.

Eddy Pineiro

The Gators’ second former kicker in the league, Eddy Pineiro, represented the program well last Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. Pineiro made four of his attempted field goals. His 59-yarder was a career-long for the San Francisco 49ers kicker.

Pineiro was also responsible for the game-winning kick, a 41-yard field goal that bounced off of the left upright but went through.

https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1973946725145378943

Monday Night Football

Two former UF players are expected to be in action Monday night when the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 on ESPN.

For the Jaguars, former Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller will take the field. While the Gators are represented on the Kansas City Chiefs by offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, who was drafted by Jacksonville.

Category: Football, Former Gators, Gator Sports, Gators Football, NFL