Former Gators Safety Trey Dean Earns East-West Shrine Bowl Defensive MVP

Former Gators safety Trey Dean earns the Defensive MVP award after impressive East-West Shrine Bowl performance.

Photo: Trey Dean; Credit: Alex Shepherd

Former Florida safety and current NFL Draft prospect Trey Dean III shined in his final outing donning the Gators script on the side of his helmet.

Performing at the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday evening, Dean took home defensive MVP honors. The award comes following positive buzz for his contributions in the practice sessions leading up to the East-West matchup.

Congratulations to our offensive MVP Jake Moody (@UMichFootball) and defensive MVP Trey Dean III
(@GATORFB)! #ShrineBowl🏈💫 pic.twitter.com/rYgNTMgU50

— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) February 3, 2023

The highlight of his day came as he picked off a tipped ball thrown by Tanner Morgan in the red zone. Dropping into cover two with the deep half responsibility, Dean worked his way from midway in the end zone to the goal line for the pick, returning it 16 yards.

@GatorsFB DB Trey Dean III comes up with the INT after a tipped pass @__TD3 🚨 pic.twitter.com/hJWBISCbO7

— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) February 3, 2023

The interception maintained the 3-3 tie with just under two minutes until the half, giving Team West the stop it needed to propel the unit to an eventual 12-3 win.

He earned the defensive accolade, while West teammate, former Michigan kicker, Jake Moody — who knocked through four field goals in the win — walked away with the offensive MVP award.

Dean had an up-and-down career in orange and blue, resulting in a switch from boundary corner to safety nearing the end of his sophomore campaign.

He struggled at points after the switch, particularly in free-range coverage. However, in the closing stretch of his fifth collegiate season, Dean started to flash the talents many expected from him when he arrived in Gainesville. He produced at the highest level of his time at Florida — starting against Georgia throughout the rest of the 2022 season — to build an impressive late-career resume for the next level.

He accounted for 81 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in 2022. Dean is also responsible for four career interceptions, recording a pick each season prior to his fifth and final year of eligibility.

He is currently rated as a 5th-round selection per NFLdraftbuzz.com. His impressive showing in Las Vegas makes him a prospect on the rise in anticipation for April.

With three years of starting experience, evident progression and the athleticism expected to show up in his numbers at the combine, Dean will continue to be monitored closely by scouts as an intriguing prospect with the potential to sneak higher on the day three draft board.

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