Drayton Florence
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Career Summary
Drayton Florence was an NFL cornerback who played 11 seasons after an All-America Tuskegee career.
Drayton Florence played 11 NFL seasons as a cornerback, appearing in 157 games and making 104 starts. He later completed a degree in sports management after retiring.
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College Career
Florence became Tuskegee's first Division II football All-American and helped win two SIAC championships.
Florence played college football at Chattanooga and Tuskegee. At Tuskegee, he helped the Golden Tigers win SIAC championships in 2001 and 2002 and was a Harlon Hill Award finalist.
In two Tuskegee seasons, he recorded eight interceptions and set a school record with three interception-return touchdowns. He was the program's first Division II All-American, honored by the Associated Press and American Coaches Association.
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Path to the NFL
San Diego selected Florence 46th overall in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The Chargers selected Florence 46th overall in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He was the highest NFL Draft selection in Tuskegee football history at the time of his 2023 SIAC Hall of Fame announcement.
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NFL Career
Florence totaled 486 tackles, 103 passes defensed, 20 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns over 157 games.
Florence's NFL career included five seasons with the Chargers, three with Buffalo and single seasons with Jacksonville, Detroit and Carolina. He compiled 486 tackles, 103 passes defensed, 20 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.
His 2010 and 2011 Bills seasons each included three interceptions and an interception return touchdown. He finished his playing career with Carolina in 2013.
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Sources for this section
Career Accomplishments
Florence earned multiple Hall of Fame honors and established a record-setting Tuskegee and NFL career.
Florence's college achievements included Tuskegee number retirement and induction into the 2023 SIAC Hall of Fame class. In the NFL, he recorded 20 interceptions and three interception-return touchdowns across 11 seasons.
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Playing Style
Florence combined durable cornerback coverage with ball production and defensive scoring.
Florence produced 103 passes defensed and 20 interceptions in the NFL, returning three interceptions for touchdowns. His 486 tackles across 157 games also reflected a physical, durable role at cornerback.
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Legacy
Florence is a foundational Tuskegee football figure whose number was among the program's first retired.
Tuskegee honored Florence in 2013 as one of the first two football players in program history to have their numbers retired. His SIAC Hall of Fame induction in 2023 further recognized his impact on Golden Tiger football.
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Post-Career
After retiring in 2015, Florence completed a sports-management degree at the University of North Florida.
Florence announced his NFL retirement in May 2015. He then completed a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management at the University of North Florida.
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Sources for this section
20084, 00-0021994, 1980-12-19, Drayton Florence, Drayton, Florence
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