Former Florida offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) has been selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 31st pick (63rd overall) in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He is the second Gator taken in this year’s draft and the second Gator offensive lineman selected, joining Mike Pouncey who was selected in the first round by the Miami Dolphins.
“It's good to see another Gator selected in the Draft,” said head coach Will Muschamp. “Marcus is a powerful and athletic player who is going to a great organization in the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Three Gator offensive linemen have been selected in the past two years and a total of 75 offensive linemen have been drafted out of Florida. He joins two former UF offensive linemen on the Steelers; Max Starks was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2004 and Maurkice Pouncey was a first-round selection by the Steelers last year.
Gilbert was a mainstay on the offensive line for Florida, appearing in 52 games and making 30 starts in his career. He was named a Third-Team All-SEC selection by Phil Steele in 2010 and was selected to play in the Under Armour Senior Bowl. Gilbert helped pave the way for one of the best Gator offense’s of all time in 2009, as UF ranked sixth in the country in total offense (457.9 yds/gm) and 10th in rushing offense (221.8 yds/gm).
