GAINESVILLE — For long stretches of linebacker Neiron Ball's UF career, the passage of time was exceedingly, excruciatingly slow.
Illness, injury and uncertainty put his football future in doubt more than once during his five years with the Gators. But during the school's pro day, Ball put those tough times to rest and reminded NFL teams of his potential.
"I've put in a lot of hard work to get where I am today," Ball said afterward. "I knew I had to be ready."
Ball put on a performance on April 7 that secured a spot for him during this week's NFL draft.