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Six former Gators sign free agent NFL contracts

 
Published April 29, 2013

In addition to the eight Florida football players who were selected in the 2013 NFL Draft this past week, six more signed free agent contracts with NFL teams.

Wide receiver Frankie Hammond, Jr., (Kansas City Chiefs), WR Omarius Hines (Baltimore Ravens), DT Omar Hunter (Pittsburgh Steelers), LB Lerentee McCray (Denver Broncos) OL Xavier Nixon (Washington Redskins), and DE Earl Okine (Houston Texans) all agreed to free agent contracts following the draft.

Hammond appeared in 48 games, starting 19. He had 63 catches for 809 yards and six touchdowns in his career.

Hines appeared in 51 games as a Gator with nine starts. He had 61 career receptions for 767 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 323 yards on 31 carries (10.1 avg.) and four touchdowns. His 323 career rushing yards is third-most in school history by a wide receiver, trailing only Percy Harvin (1.852 yards) and Wes Chandler (356 yards).

Hunter saw action in 56 games at UF during his career, starting 31. He had 111 tackles, 55 solo and 56 assisted, 11.0 TFL, a sack, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.

McCray appeared in 42 games for the Gators with 17 starts. He had 65 tackles (40 solo, 25 unassisted), 12.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, thOkine saw action in 41 games as a member of the University of Florida football team. He recorded 27 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack, one blocked field goal, and a pass breakupree forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in his career. He started 12 games in 2012, only missing one game due to injury.

Nixon played in 46 games with 33 starts in his four-year career. He became the first true freshman to start at left tackle at UF since Reggie Green in 1992 and is the last true freshman to start at either tackle since Mo Collins in 1995. This past season, Nixon started and played in 11 games at left tackle, including eight consecutive starts.

Okine saw action in 41 games in his career and had 27 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack, one blocked field goal, and a pass breakup.