Drayton Florence

Drayton Florence, Jr. (born December 19, 1980) is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Tuskegee.

Florence has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos.

Early years
Florence was an all-district selection at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida, but spent his sophomore year at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, South Carolina.

College career
Florence attended Tuskegee University (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. He majored in social work.

2003 NFL Draft
Florence was drafted by the Chargers 46th overall in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft and was the 2nd cornerback selected by Chargers that draft after Sammy Davis. He is the highest drafted NFL player from Tuskegee University

San Diego Chargers
Initially drafted as a nickel back who could fill in at safety if needed, Florence had fought his way to become a legitimate starting cornerback in the NFL across Quentin Jammer.

2007 playoffs
On Sunday, January 14, 2007 in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots after a muffed punt by wide receiver Eric Parker at the San Diego 31 yard line, Florence committed a personal foul, head-butting Patriot TE Daniel Graham following a 3rd and long play. During the play, the Charger defense had stopped the Patriots for a 7 yard loss putting the ball at the Charger 37 yard line (apx. 53 yard field goal range). The result of the penalty was a Patriots first down on the Charger 18. The extension of the drive led to a Stephen Gostkowski 34 yard field goal. The Patriots went on to win the game 24-21.

The NFL fined San Diego Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence $15,000 for the illegal hit he put on Houston Texans Quarterback Matt Schaub on Sunday October 28. On an interception return, Florence drilled Schaub from the blind side, and he was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. The league ruled that on a change of possession, Florence unnecessarily made helmet-to-helmet contact with Schaub, who suffered a concussion and missed the rest of the game.

Jacksonville Jaguars
On March 1, 2008, Florence was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to a six-year $36 million contract with $13 million in guaranteed money. After only one disappointing season with the team he was released on February 11, 2009.

Buffalo Bills
On March 3, 2009, Florence was signed by the Buffalo Bills. Florence made the starting rotation under Head Coach Chan Gailey. Florence responded by leading the Bills in takeaways, including a fumble returned for a touchdown against the Bengals and an interception returned for a touchdown against Minnesota, two weeks apart. He also scored the go-ahead touchdown in the Bills' victory against the New England Patriots in 2011.

On July 27, 2011, Florence re-signed with the Bills for 3 years at a total contract value of $15 million. On May 4, 2012, Florence was released.

Denver Broncos
Florence signed with the Denver Broncos on May 10, 2012 and released on Aug, 31, 2012.

Detroit Lions
Florence signed with the Detroit Lions on September 2, 2012.

Personal
He is the cousin of Chicago Rush wide receiver Carlos Wright.