Gators 2023 NFL Draft Profile: Safety Rashad Torrence II

Photo: Rashad Torrence II; Credit: Zach Goodall 

The 2023 NFL Draft is approaching, marking the peak of the professional football offseason. 

As NFL free agency cools down after the initial surge to fill spots of need, teams are solidifying their big boards for the eventful selection period set to take place from April 27-29.

Multiple University of Florida talents are in the midst of preparing for the draft process. Eight of the 11 entrants recently participated in the NFL Combine. They finalized their athletic metrics at the school's Pro Day on March 30.

In anticipation of the selection ceremony, All Gators will provide player draft profiles for the 11 Florida representatives. The series will include the player's history, strengths, weaknesses, scouting report, best fit and most up-to-date Gators-centric mock draft selection.

Following profiles for quarterback Anthony Richardson, offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence, defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr., edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr., safety Trey Dean III and inside linebacker Ventrell Miller, next up in our series is safety Rashad Torrence II.

Player History

A three-year contributor for the Gators, Torrence was a staple of the team's defense despite the tumultuous times the unit experienced since his arrival in 2020.

Choosing Florida over Alabama and 24 other offers, Torrence hit the ground running with the Gators, emerging in the safety rotation following then-Florida starter Shawn Davis' week one ejection against Ole Miss in 2020.

He played in all but two of the Gators' contests over the past three seasons.

Following his freshman campaign, Torrence assumed an unrivaled starting position to the pleasure of many. He continued to flash the promise that had fans clamoring for his services, although the higher volume shined a light on some of the concerning factors that held him out of taking on a more substantial role as a frosh.

His status gradually declined as the limitations of his game started to be exploited by opposing teams. However, the Marietta, Ga., native remained the team's starter at free safety, providing his veteran presence in a rather thin safety room during the 2022 season.

After the year in which he served as the team's second-leading tackler with 84, he forwent his senior season in favor of testing the professional waters.

He finished his Florida career with 196 tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three pass breakups and three interceptions -- two of which came against the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs during the 2021 rendition of the two program's annual meeting.

Strengths

• Three-year production as a staple of the Gators' defense.
• Underneath coverage skills in both zone and man-to-man.
• Displays solid burst, vision and run diagnosis to work downhill toward the line of scrimmage from his safety spot.
• Physicality as a tackler.
• Football IQ.

Concerns

• Size.
• Change of direction.
• Lack of athleticism, speed to operate as a one-high safety.
• Intermediate and deep area coverage skills, inability to hold high leverage as the last-level defender.

Scouting Report

Standing at just 6-foot, 193 pounds while running a 4.72 40-yard dash, the former Florida safety is an undersized prospect who lacks the straight-line speed needed to occupy a substantial role at the next level.

However, there is a spot for him as he possesses other desirable traits.

As an aforementioned three-year contributor for UF, Torrence displayed uber-productivity as a tackler that will immediately earn him looks to fill a void in a franchise's secondary.

He showed the promise to be a physical, tone-setting safety prospect with his hard-hitting physicality to ball carriers or would-be pass catchers who crossed his facemask over the middle. Those skills were accompanied by impressive run diagnosis skills and burst to work downhill into gaps consistently, which displayed his rather high football IQ.

However, that aspect of his game flew under the radar in large part due to his troubles in coverage caused by his athletic lapses. 

When working in one or two-high zone coverage, Torrence struggled to hold leverage over the top against intended wideouts. There were multiple occasions throughout his career he found himself a step behind the competition, giving up explosive plays regularly. Those struggles will be magnified with his elevation to the next level, setting a ceiling on the role he can assume in the NFL.

As a result, Torrence projects as a day-three prospect with the ability to be a backup box safety in the NFL.

Best Fit(s)

The best-case scenario for Torrence would be for him to align in a cover-two or higher zone coverage scheme with occasional cover-one variations that allow him to serve as a box safety.

The Houston Texans stand out as a franchise that makes sense as there will be a need to take a late-round flier on a potential reserve option to starters Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre. The team has a history of operating a two-high heavy scheme, although it will become more variable under newly minted head coach DeMeco Ryans. 

The first-year leader has proved to operate a defensive back-friendly system, giving undervalued defensive backs like Tashaun Gipson a career resurrection with the San Francisco 49ers a year ago.

Torrence could be the latest to benefit from learning under Ryans' defensive tutelage as a result.

All Gators mock simulator selection

Round 5, Pick 171: Los Angeles Rams