Former Gators Jacob Copeland, Mohamoud Diabate Agree to UDFA Deals

After spending their final collegiate seasons elsewhere, former Gators Jacob Copeland and Mohamoud Diabate have agreed to undrafted free-agent contracts with NFL teams.

A pair of former Florida Gators who ended their college careers elsewhere have made it to the pros, as wide receiver Jacob Copeland and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate have reportedly agreed to sign contracts as undrafted free agents following the 2023 NFL Draft.

Copeland, who spent the 2022 season at Maryland, has agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans according to Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports. Diabate, a 2022 transfer to Utah, will sign with the Cleveland Browns per Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland.

Each player enrolled at Florida under former head coach Dan Mullen's hiring and left the university via the transfer portal after Mullen's Nov. 2021 firing.

Copeland, a native of Pensacola, Fla., signed with UF in the class of 2018 over offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Clemson, among others. 

After redshirting his first year, Copeland went on to appear in 36 games and start in 22. He tallied 86 receptions for 1,366 yards and nine touchdowns during his time with UF, posting single-season career-highs of 41 catches for 642 yards and four touchdowns in 2021.

Copeland's move to Maryland resulted in 26 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games, accumulated within a rotational role. He produced a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and a 127-inch broad jump at the NFL Combine, boosting his stock as a pro prospect after an underwhelming redshirt senior campaign.

Diabate found more success from the transfer portal than Copeland, likely leading to the $250,000 in reported guarantees that Diabate will earn from his free-agent contract.

A class of 2019 recruit from Auburn, Ala., Diabate signed with the Gators over his hometown Tigers and other offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Michigan and others.

Diabate burned his redshirt and appeared in every game as a true freshman, earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors for a three-sack breakout performance against Vanderbilt in 2019.

His snap-share increased as a sophomore — leading to seven tackles for loss, an interception and two forced fumbles — although Diabate only started in six games. He finally earned a full-time first-team role in 2021 but noticed his impact play production drop off in spite of the promotion, with zero sacks or turnovers forced as a junior.

Diabate transferred to Utah in Jan. 2022 after recording 176 tackles, six sacks, 14 tackles for loss, an interception, two passes defended and three forced fumbles in 37 appearances with Florida.

Starting 12 games for the Utes, Diabate compiled 58 tackles, five sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Although he was listed as a middle linebacker, Diabate moved around Utah's defense frequently, earning snaps both off the ball and on the edge. 

Diabate boasts an elite athletic profile, with a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, 6.96-second 3-cone, 4.25-second shuttle and 11-foot broad jump on his résumé from Utah's Pro Day. 

Like Copeland and Diabate, Florida offensive tackle Richard Gouraige reportedly agreed to an undrafted free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills following the draft. 

Six Gators heard their names called during the 2023 NFL Draft:

• QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts, first round, No. 4 overall
• DL Gervon Dexter, Chicago Bears, second round, No. 53 overall
• OL O'Cyrus Torrence, Buffalo Bills, second round, No. 59 overall
• LB Ventrell Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars, fourth round, No. 121 overall
• WR Justin Shorter, Buffalo Bills, fifth round, No. 150 overall
• LB Amari Burney, Las Vegas Raiders, sixth round, No. 203 overall

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