Two
Florida standouts, running back Chris Rainey and defensive tackle Jaye Howard, participated
in the 2012 Senior Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Mobile, Ala.
Rainey
had just one rush for five yards in the game, but also contributed three kick
returns for 60 yards and one punt return for 17 yards. Rainey drew praise from
his South team coaches throughout the week for his playmaking ability, playing
running back, wide receiver and return man.
Howard
saw time on the defensive line in the game, but defensive stats were not made
available.
Rainey
and Howard were the 15th and 16th players in UF history to participate in the
Senior Bowl. Their selections marked the third consecutive year Florida had
been represented in Mobile. In 2009, Riley Cooper and Tim Tebow took part in
the Senior Bowl and in 2010 Ahmad Black, Marcus Gilbert, Chas Henry and Mike
Pouncey played in the annual contest.
Jaye
Howard was the second defensive player and first defensive lineman to compete
in the Senior Bowl for the Gators. Chris Rainey was the third running back to
compete in the all-star game for UF.
In
addition to his Senior Bowl selection, Rainey was also chosen to the All-SEC
First Team as an all-purpose performer. Rainey led the Gators in rushing yards,
receptions, all-purpose yards and punt return yards in 2011.
Additionally,
the speedy back claimed two blocked punts in 2011, giving him a school and
SEC-record six career blocked punts. Rainey set career highs in carries,
rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards in 2011. Rainey finished his UF
career ninth all-time with 2,464 rushing yards.
Howard,
who garnered three SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors in his career, was
fourth on the Gators in 2011 with 65 tackles and second on the team with a
career-high tying five and a half sacks in 2011.
The
Apopka, Fla. native was named an AP All-SEC Honorable Mention performer during
the 2011 campaign. Howard, who was a four-year letterwinner, departs UF with
131 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for losses and 11 sacks.
