Report: Florida Losing WR Coach Keary Colbert to NFL

Keary Colbert is heading to the NFL after just one season as the Gators wide receiver coach, taking on the same role for the Denver Broncos.

Photo: Keary Colbert; Credit: Alex Shepherd

Florida wide receivers coach Keary Colbert is expected to leave the Gators and take the same position with the Denver Broncos, according to Graham Hall of Swamp247. 

Colbert is the third on-field assistant coach to leave Florida for a job in the NFL since Tuesday. Reports surfaced that UF defensive coordinator Patrick Toney and tight ends coach William Peagler had accepted various gigs with the Arizona Cardinals in a 12-hour stretch between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Colbert now heads to Denver — one of his five destinations during his NFL playing career — to take over a WR room lined with the likes of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler and others.

The exodus of sorts for head coach Billy Napier’s assistant coaching staff just before spring ball makes the replacement efforts a time-sensitive task.

While losing a play-caller, Toney, is of obvious significance, one could argue that Colbert’s departure stings Florida the most.

Serving as one of the most productive developers in college football during his time at USC — elevating the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., Amon Ra St. Brown and Drake London to their current status in the NFL — Colbert played a vital role in getting the most out of a thin Gators wide receiver room in his lone season with the program.

Justin Shorter put together his best season of his career in one year under Colbert, reeling in 29 balls for 577 yards and two scores on the year. He out gained himself from 2021 (550 yards) on 12 fewer receptions. 

His transformation from a big bodied possession receiver with limited ability outside the intermediate level to a viable deep threat paid dividends for Florida.

That was a plentiful well they used frequently in the middle of the season to create sparks early in games. One Colbert seemingly created.

Shorter will now test his luck on the NFL Draft market this April.

Xzavier Henderson also saw an uptick in his production under Colbert, stepping into a feature role in the offense after being a complementary piece through two seasons in Gainesville.

Colbert’s presence on the recruiting trail also helped Florida pull in three highly regarded wideouts in 2023 with the potential for early playing time in orange and blue. Andy Jean, Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III joined Caleb Douglas as pass catchers reeled in by the wide receiver coach.

He was also involved in landing Florida’s leading receiver a year ago, and returning WR1 for 2023, Ricky Pearsall, from Arizona State.

Candidates to replace him as Florida’s wide receivers coach have yet to come to light. 

It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that UF hired former Auburn offensive coordinator and seasoned college wide receivers coach Eric Kiesau in an off-field capacity in January. If Florida were to pursue an in-house promotion for the role, Kiesau would be considered a qualified option. 

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