Broncos' top pick overcame staph infection at Florida

Two years ago defensive end Jarvis Moss weighed about 215 pounds, ravaged by a staph infection and unsure about his football future.

University of Florida coach Urban Meyer has seen some amazing turnarounds, but he couldn’t remember many like Moss getting healthy, bulking up to 251 pounds and becoming a first-round pick of the Denver Broncos.

“If I showed you film of what he was like the first spring — he was 215 pounds,” said Meyer, who became Florida’s coach two years ago. “To become a first-rounder, and well deserved, help us win a national championship, that’s one of the great success stories, in my opinion, of college football in the last 10 years.”

Getting drafted is an emotional experience for most players, maybe more so for Moss because of his ordeal. He said he woke up early before the NFL draft Saturday and cried, trying to get the tears out before his family saw him. When the Broncos called and told him he’d be the 17th overall pick he couldn’t help it; he broke down again.

See more in Wednesday's Gazette