Photo: Rashad Torrence II; Credit: Alex Shepherd
The Los Angeles Rams have signed former Florida safety Rashad Torrence II to an undrafted free-agent deal after he went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported the move.
Torrence, a native of Atlanta, Ga., signed with the Gators in the recruiting class of 2020 and spent three years with the program before declaring for the draft as an underclassman.
Year one couldn't have started faster. Torrence was forced into a significant role in Week 1 of his freshman season following the ejection of starting safety Shawn Davis vs. Ole Miss in 2020, due to lacking depth at the position. Torrence continued to earn rotational snaps that year and burned his redshirt before taking on a starting gig of his own as a sophomore in 2021.
It was year two in which Torrence began to put together an NFL-caliber résumé. He posted single-season career-highs of 87 total tackles including 3.5 for loss, three interceptions, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 13 games.
Torrence's box score stats regressed across the board during his junior campaign, a season in which Florida debuted a new coaching staff led by head coach Billy Napier and now-former defensive coordinator Patrick Toney. He produced 84 tackles, one pass breakup, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered across 12 games in 2023.
However, Torrence improved his coverage numbers significantly as a junior despite his lack of plays on the ball. According to Pro Football Focus, Torrence lowered his completion percentage allowed in coverage by nearly six points, from 66.7% to 60.9%, and reduced the number of yards he allowed per reception from 15.6 to 9.9.
In Torrence, Los Angeles receives a safety with ample playing experience at a young age (21 years old) and a tendency to make plays downhill. Athletically limited as he may be with a 4.72-second 40-yard dash and other underwhelming scores to his name, Torrence could make an impact on special teams at the next level and offer valuable depth on the backend of the Rams' defense.
Torrence joins Richard Gouraige (Buffalo Bills) and Trey Dean III (New York Jets) as undrafted free agents to find their homes.
Florida's saw six prospects selected in 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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