UPDATE (5:57 p.m.): Shortly after Jarrad Davis' announcement, redshirt junior safety Marcus Maye announced via his Twitter account that he also plans to return to school next season and play one more year with the Gators.

UPDATE (4:33 p.m.): Junior linebacker Jarrad Davis announced via Twitter on Monday that he will return to UF for his senior season.

One last ride as a Florida Gator!! Honored to wear the Orange & Blue one more time!! #GatorNation #BDN 🐊 pic.twitter.com/Y0i2oQiaDM

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Although redshirt junior safety Marcus Maye and junior linebacker Jarrad Davis haven’t made any recent official announcements regarding their futures, multiple sources have indicated to Inside the Gators that both are expected to return to school next season.



The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2016 NFL Draft is today, and the NFL is set to release a list of the accepted underclassmen this Friday.

Five Florida juniors -- cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, running back Kelvin Taylor, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, defensive end Alex McCalister and safety Keanu Neal -- have all already announced their intentions to declare early for the draft.

Davis was vocal about returning to UF for his senior season after the Gators’ SEC title game loss to Alabama. But a few weeks ago, that claim came into question when UF’s official team site posted that Davis “could have a change of heart prior to the Jan. 18 deadline to declare for the draft.” However, this past weekend Davis served as a host for UF’s official visitors -- another indication pointing to him sticking with his decision.

For Florida’s secondary, Maye returning as is expected would certainly be a boost -- especially after seeing Neal opt to turn pro. In his fourth season as a Gator the 6-foot, 207-pound Maye played some of his best football, performing excellently in run support while showcasing improved skills in coverage.

Maye finished this past season with 82 tackles, two interceptions, 1.5 TFL, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and five forced fumbles -- the latter tying an SEC best with Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett. The redshirt junior safety also recovered two fumbles.

With Maye looking likely to return to the mix, Florida still wouldn't be incredibly deep at safety but definitely wouldn't be thin, either. The Gators return redshirt juniors Nick Washington and Marcell Harris, who both should factor plenty into the rotation in 2016. Redshirt freshman Kylan Johnson, a hybrid safety/linebacker, may also play a role this upcoming season. Junior nickelback Duke Dawson could also play at safety if necessary.

Currently, UF has three players committed who are projected to play at safety down the road -- three-stars Quincy Lenton, Jeawon Taylor and Antonio Nelson.

Meanwhile, Davis emerged as a key contributor for the Gators defense as a junior following a sophomore slump. In 2015, Davis finished with 98 tackles, 11 TFL, 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception, as he and Antonio Morrison performed at a high level in the wake of UF not having much depth behind them at the linebacker position.

Now entering 2016, Davis should serve as the unquestioned leader for Florida’s linebacker corps as a senior, especially with Morrison and Jeremi Powell leaving. The Gators also return Alex Anzalone and Matt Rolin, but both are question marks moving forward regarding their past histories with injuries. Also back in the fold will be senior Daniel McMillian and redshirt freshmen Rayshad Jackson and Johnson -- the latter of which arrived at UF as a safety but could also play at linebacker if needed.

UF just added three-star linebacker David Reese as an early enrollee and has three-stars Vosean Joseph and Jeremiah Moon currently committed at the position. The Gators are also currently in the hunt for a host of top-flight players at the position, including five-star Lyndell Wilson, four-stars Dontavious Jackson, Jaleel Laguins (currently committed to Georgia) and Elysee Mbem-Bosse, three-star Joshua Uche and others.