GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — Florida Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam has decided to forego his final year of collegiate eligibility in preparation for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Elam, who began his Gainesville journey in 2019, registered 78 total tackles (53 solo), six interceptions and 20 pass deflections in his time at UF.
“These last three years have been nothing but a blessing,” Elam said in his draft declaration. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. It taught me a lot of learning lessons. It taught me how to keep battling.”
A Riviera beach native, Elam entered the swamp as the No. 6 overall cornerback in the 2019 recruiting cycle. He found his mail filled with a slew of offers from other power five schools — Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, Miami and more — but ultimately chose his state’s home university over the likes of its fiercest rivals.
“Making my decision to come here, the University of Florida was a no-brainer, honestly,” Elam said. “In my heart, I felt like I was making the best decision for my family and I.”
Elam’s production was noticeable from the get-go thanks to a game-sealing interception in the 2019 Orange Bowl and All-SEC honors in 2020. His draft stock did see a marginal decline in 2021 due to a three-game hiatus from a knee injury, but the then-junior still managed to participate in the Gators’ last seven games of the season.
“Being able to come back to The Swamp was something I will cherish for the rest of my life, and being a Gator is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Elam said. “I am forever thankful and forever grateful.”
Elam (6-foot-2, 196 pounds) currently ranks No. 3 for cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus, sitting behind only LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. and Washington’s Trent McDuffie. At No. 17, he possesses the highest big board rank for any draft-eligible Gator.
(Featured image by Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)