Drayton Florence Jr. (born December 19, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Chattanooga Mocs and Tuskegee Golden Tigers. Florence was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft.
College career Florence attended Tuskegee University. He was inducted into Tuskegee University Hall Of Fame in 2014 (2001–2002) after transferring from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1999–2000). He registered school-record three returns for touchdowns on interceptions at Tuskegee. As a senior, he was named first-team Division II All-America by the Associated Press and American Coaches Association. Florence is the highest drafted player to enter the NFL from Tuskegee University. Florence finished his degree at the University of North Florida with a bachelor's degree in sport management.
Professional career
San Diego Chargers 2003 The San Diego Chargers selected Florence in the second round (46th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft. He was the ninth cornerback drafted and was the second cornerback the Chargers drafted in 2003, following their first-round pick (30th overall) Sammy Davis. He became the highest selection in the NFL draft from Tuskegee University, surpassing his former teammate and fellow cornerback 2002 second-round pick (72nd overall) Roosevelt Williams. On July 23, 2003, the Chargers signed Florence to a five—year, $4.12 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $1.70 million.
The Chargers drafted for defensive backs in 2003 after having one of the lowest ranked pass defenses in 2002. They chose to rebuild the defense around speed, leading to the departures of starting cornerbacks Ryan McNeil and Alex Molden. He started training camp alongside cornerbacks Quentin Jammer, Tay Cody, and Sammy Davis. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer named Florence a backup and listed him as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Quentin Jammer, Sammy Davis, and Tay Cody.
He was inactive during the Chargers' season-opener at the Kansas City Chiefs due to an eye injury. On September 17, 2003, the Chargers released Tay Cody after he injured his hamstring in their 14–27 loss at the Chiefs in Week 1. Defensive coordinator Dale Lindsey subsequently named Florence as third cornerback on the depth chart entering Week 2. On September 14, 2003, Florence made his professional regular season debut and recorded one solo tackle and returned one kick for 12–yards during a 13–37 loss to the Denver Broncos. In Week 4, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles and had one kick return for 24–yards during a 34–31 overtime loss at the Oakland Raiders. He finished his rookie season with 20 solo tackles and two pass deflections and had four kick returns for 47–yards while appearing in all 16 games without any starts.
2004 The San Diego Chargers hired Wade Phillips to be their new defensive coordinator after they chose not to renew the contract of Dale Lindsey following one of the worst ranked defenses and a 4–12 record in 2003. Entering training camp, Florence was a candidate to earn the role as the No. 2 starting cornerback, competing for it against Sammy Davis. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer named him a backup and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Quentin Jammer and Sammy Davis.
On October 10, 2004, Florence recorded five solo tackles, set a season-high with two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by Byron Leftwich to wide receiver Ernest Wilford as the Chargers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34–21. The following week, Florence made one pass deflection and had his second consecutive game with an interception after picking off a pass thrown by Michael Vick to wide receiver Dez White during a 20–21 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. Entering Week 7, he was named the No. 2 starting cornerback, supplanting Sammy Davis. On October 24, 2004, Florence earned his first career start and recorded two combined tackles (one solo), before exiting during the fourth quarter of a 17–6 win at the Carolina Panthers due to an ankle injury. He remained inactive for the next three games (Weeks 8–9, 11) due to a high-ankle sprain. In Week 12, Florence returned and played as a backup cornerback in the Chargers 34–31 victory at the Kansas City Chiefs, but re-gained his starting role after Sammy Davis sustained a hairline fracture in his leg during the game that would sideline him for the next four games (Weeks 13–16). On December 5, 2004, Florence would have his breakout performance with three solo tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception on the opening drive on a pass by Jake Plummer to tight end Jeb Putzier as the Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 20–17. During the fourth quarter, the Chargers led 20–17 when Jake Plummer attempted a touchdown pass to wide receiver Rod Smith that was deflected by Florence in coverage and tipped to safety Jerry Wilson for an interception to help maintain their lead with 3:45 remaining. His performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 13. In Week 16, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles and made two pass deflections during a 31–34 overtime loss at the Indianapolis Colts. He finished with 36 combined tackles (31 solo), eight pass deflections, and a career-high four interceptions in 13 games and five starts.
The San Diego Chargers finished in first place in the AFC West in 2004 with a 12–4 record. On January 8, 2005, Florence started in his the first playoff game of his career and made two solo tackles and a pass deflection as the Chargers lost in overtime 17–20 in the AFC Wild-Card Game to the New York Jets.
2005 He returned alongside Quentin Jammer as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season in 2005. He was inactive for three games (Weeks 6–8) after injuring his ankle. On December 4, 2005, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles as the Chargers defeated the Oakland Raiders 34–10. In Week 15, Florence made six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, and had his only interception of the season on a pass by Peyton Manning to wide receiver Reggie Wayne, but fumbled it after it was forced by tight end Dallas Clark and recovered by center Jeff Saturday during a 26–17 win at the Indianapolis Colts. He finished the season with 54 combined tackles (47 solo), 11 pass deflections, and one interception in 13 games and 12 starts. 2006 Throughout training camp, Florence attempted to retain his job as a starting cornerback after the Chargers selected Antonio Cromartie in the first-round (19th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft. Antonio Cromartie was unable to fully participate physically for the major of training camp due to a torn ACL he suffered in college. As a result, head coach Marty Schottenheimer named Florence and Quentin Jammer the starting cornerbacks to begin the season with Antonio Cromartie as the nickelback.
On October 15, 2006, he set a season-high with eight solo tackles and had one pass break-up during a 48–19 victory at the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 11, Florence made two combined tackles (one solo), one pass deflection, and secured the Chargers' 35–27 victory at the Denver Broncos by intercepting a pass Jake Plummer threw to wide receiver Rod Smith with only 3:10 remaining in the game. The following week, Florence had four combined tackles (two solo), made one pass deflection, and sealed a 21–14 victory for the Chargers against the Oakland Raiders by intercepting a pass by Aaron Brooks to wide receiver Ronald Curry with 2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter in Week 12. He started in all 16 games throughout the 2006 NFL season for the first time in his career and finished with a career-high 66 combined tackles (54 solo), a career-high 16 pass deflections, and made three interceptions.
On January 14, 2007, in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots, Florence committed a 15–yard unnecessary roughness penalty for head-butting Patriot Tight end Daniel Graham at the end of a third and 13–yard play where Tom Brady was sacked for a seven–yard loss by Shaun Phillips. The extension of the drive concluded with a 34–yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski to close the Chargers' lead to only 13–14. The Patriots went on to win the game 24–21.
2007 On February 12, 2007, the San Diego Chargers unexpectedly fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer after they finished with a 14–2 record and made it to the Divisional Round. Throughout training camp, Florence competed against Antonio Cromartie to retain his role as the No. 2 starting cornerback under new defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. Head coach Norv Turner named Florence and Quentin Jammer the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.
In Week 2, he set a season-high with seven combined tackles (five solo) during a 14–38 loss at the New England Patriots. On October 28, 2007, Florence recorded six solo tackles and made one pass deflection during a 35–10 win against the Houston Texans, but drew a penalty for a helmet-to-helmet hit he delivered to Matt Schaub during an interception by Antonio Cromartie in the second quarter. Matt Schaub immediately left the game with a concussion and remained inactive for the following week. On November 1, 2007, the NFL announced their decision to fine Florence $15,000 for the hit. Entering Week 12, Florence was demoted to nickelback and listed as the third cornerback on the depth chart as head coach Norv Turner chose to replace him with Antonio Cromartie. On December 2, 2007, Florence made two combined tackles (one solo), a pass deflection, and sealed a 24–10 victory at the Kansas City Chiefs by intercepting a pass by Damon Huard to wide receiver Eddie Kennison with 5:30 remaining. He finished his last season with the Chargers in 2007 with a total of 62 combined tackles (56 solo), ten pass deflections, and made two interceptions in 16 games and 12 starts.
The San Diego Chargers finished in first place in the AFC West with an 11–5 record to earn a Wild-Card berth. On January 6, 2008, Florence made three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and sealed a 6–17 win against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild-Card Game by intercepting a pass by Vince Young to wide receiver Chris Davis with 3:44 remaining in the game. On January 20, 2008, Florence started in the AFC Championship Game and recorded three combined tackles (two solo), made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Tom Brady to wide receiver Donte Stallworth as the Chargers lost 12–21 at the New England Patriots.
Jacksonville Jaguars On March 1, 2008, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Florence to a six—year, $36 million contract that included $13 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $6 million. He entered training camp slated as the No. 2 starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Head coach Jack Del Rio named Florence and Rashean Mathis the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.