A select group of Florida football players spoke to the media during the 2025 Pro Day last week, including quarterback Graham Mertz, who is back after an ACL tear, and wide receiver Chimere Dike, who is one of the big risers after a strong performance at the NFL draft combine.
Defensive back Trikweze Bridges did not get an invite to the combine, but he put up an eye-popping 4.38-second 40-yard spring in front of 32 NFL teams. Somehow, Bridges' 40 time wasn't the standout stat of the day. That superlative goes to defensive tackle Desmond Watson, who put up 36 reps on the bench press. It would have been a combine-high, and several players gave him props for putting on a show.
NFL scouts also got to see defensive lineman Joey Slackman work out on both sides of the line. Slackman's final year of college ball was hampered due to injury, but he received feedback from teams that he may have a future as a center or guard. Offensive lineman Brendan Crenshaw-Dickson had plenty to say as well.
DB Trikweze Bridges
"I feel like we all did pretty good. Everybody came to show out. A lot of guys ran fast. I feel like I did what I wanted to do. My goal was to run a 4.3, and I was able to do that today. Very excited and pleased with that. Everything else just, you know, God was able to help me today, and that's what I ask. I just ask God to help me to play, perform to the best of my abilities and just not worry about anything else."
On having a chip on his shoulder after not being invited to NFL combine
"Oh, yeah. For sure. I've always been one of those guys that I feel like people slept on, and I was like, you know what, it's okay. God has a plan for me. I have a different journey from everybody else, and today I was able to show who I am and what I can do."
On growth at Florida vs. Oregon
"Honestly, I can say that, my time in Oregon, I was able to play corner, naturally a safety as well, and I was able to play both positions here at Florida. I was able to play (in the) Georgia game for instance, I was able to play corner and safety that one game. So that was a good thing for me to be able to show the versatility in one game."
OT Brendan Crenshaw-Dickson
"I think today went really well, not only for me, but I think for everybody. Put up some good numbers that I really wanted to, especially in the L-drill and the 5-10-5, so I think that went really well."
On development at Florida
"I think this process, being here at Florida, did everything that I needed. I came in and I actually told Coach Sale the other day, I was like, man, I wish I had four years here. But, even within that one year, I think I did a great job. I think Coach Sale and Coach DeCoster did a great job teaching me and also just adding things to my bag and just making me a better player at the end of the day."
"One thing I definitely say, coach Sale kind of taught me is that five equals one. And I think that's kind of something that's just instilled in me since day one when I got down here. And that just basically means when all five offensive linemen do well, everybody does well. And then even when we all are on a different page, you know, if we're all on the same page, the five offensive line, we're going to do good."
On Joey Slackman taking O-line reps
"We talked about it, actually, before we left, and I think he did a great job today, definitely with his feet. We talked a little bit about it, just like hand timing and where to place his feet. It's a little ...
