2026 NFL Scouting Combine: How Gators Are Grading in Indianapolis
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis, and Florida has a number of participants.
The Combine is an annual, invite-only event where prospects get a chance to show their skills to NFL coaches. They compete in various physical and mental tests that the NFL describes as “the ultimate job-interview.” Key ones include the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, agility drills, and position-specific drills. The combine technically started on Monday and lasts until next Tuesday.
Nine former Gators were invited to the Combine out of a total of 319 invitees. That shouldn’t come as a shock.
Despite Florida’s lackluster on-field performance in recent years. The Gators consistently produce high-quality NFL prospects, largely thanks to their strong recruiting pipeline that consistently grabs top-tier talent year after year, regardless of the team’s performance. This year, Florida is tied for eighth with Clemson with its nine invitees. While the SEC dominates in total invites, Florida holds its own within the SEC, sitting at fifth in player invites within the conference.
With the combine underway, here is how the Gators are currently doing, listed by their current prospect grade, which is scored out of eight points.
Caleb Banks – Defensive Line
Banks, who comes into the combine heavily regarded as Florida’s top prospect, has performed solidly at the combine, with a prospect grade of 6.39. NFL analyst Zach Zierlein compared Banks to former Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., who is known for his physical yet quick playing style. While scouts noted that Banks looked visibly slower in 2025 due to a recovering foot injury, he still has acceptable short-area quickness alongside “outstanding” physical traits. Banks is expected to eventually be a starter and key player for whatever NFL team selects him.
George Gumbs Jr. – Defensive Line
Gumbs arrives at the combine coming off another solid year, recording 13 tackles and 14 solo tackles. While he saw a slight decline in 2025 from his 2024 line of 35 total tackles and 20 solo tackles, Gumbs, who has a prospect grade of 6.14, is being viewed as a good backup with the potential to eventually develop into a starter. Zierlein describes Gumbs as a “late bloomer” who could very well become a starter thanks to his attitude and work ethic.
Devin Moore – Cornerback
Last year, Moore ranked 12th on Florida in total tackles and sixth in solo tackles, which is the highest rank of any of the other Gators at the combine. Moore currently has a prospect grade of 6.00 and ranks third among other cornerbacks in terms of his production score. He’s expected to be an “above-average” backup, but should see solid improvement with more snaps.
J. Michael Sturdivant – Wide Receiver
Sturdivant comes into the combine as the sole receiver entering the draft from Florida. He finished 2025 with the second-most receiving yards on the team. He also has a prospect grade of 6.00 and, similar to Moore, is expected to be an “above-average” backup. Sturdivant has the 37th-highest production score among 46 wide receivers in attendance, though. Sturdivant makes up for it in his athleticism score, where he ranks eighth. Zierlien notes that while Sturdivant’s production doesn’t match the skill his film shows, he could be a valuable middle-round investment.
Trey Smack – Kicker
One of two Gator specialists at the combine, Smack could be a valuable asset who can consistently nail field goals from 50 yards or further. He finished his career hitting 77% of his field goals from 50+ yards. Smack showed some inconsistencies last year, missing three field goals in the opener to LIU in August and missing one field goal in a loss to Tennessee. All of those misses were from 46 yards or closer. Smack has a prospect rating of 5.92, and Zierlein says Smack has an “above-average” chance of making it in the NFL.
Austin Barber – Offensive Line
Last season, Austin Barber was named to the All-SEC third team, and Barber also attended the Panini Senior Bowl this spring. Barber is currently expected to be an “average backup” with a 5.87 prospect grade. While he has consistently faced top SEC talent, he had key struggles in notable games against Texas A&M and Miami. Zierlien pointed out Barber’s hustle in being able to hit his landmarks for backside cutoffs, but weaknesses lead to Barber slating as a third-day pick.
Tyreak Sapp – Defensive Line
Sapp, the three-year starter, had a breakout year in 2024, and although he regressed some in 2025, he still put up solid numbers. Sapp recorded 34 tackles, good for tenth on the team. Sapp received a 5.86 prospect grade and certainly has room to grow. Zierlein notes that Sapp lacks quickness in his first steps as well as in his bursts upfield. He also detailed that adding mass to Sapp’s frame and playing as a three-technique could potentially be in his best interest to make it in the NFL.
Tommy Doman Jr. – Punter
It’s going to be an uphill battle for Doman to be successful in the NFL. He currently sits with a 5.62 prospect rating and is expected to be a practice squad/bottom of roster candidate. Doman spent three years at Michigan before transferring to Florida following the NFL departure of Jeremy Crawshaw a year ago. While Doman hasn’t proven to be a go-to field flipper, his pro-level hang time provides a promising upside.
Jake Slaughter – Center
Slaughter has yet to receive a full scouting report from the combine, but is a top prospect for his position. Among 10 centers at the combine, Slaughter is ranked first in production rating. Slaughter spent five seasons with the Gators, and in 2025, he was named to the All-SEC first team and the USA Today All-American second team. Slaughter is expected to potentially be a Day 2 pick.
Category: Feature Sports News, Former Gators, Gators Football, NFL Draft
