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Florida DT Dominique Easley playing better than stats indicate

Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley has made only five tackles this season, yet talk of his pro potential continues to spiral in the right direction. The 6-foot-2, 282-pound senior has been a major interior disruption for offenses this season, but it's his teammates that have benefitted.

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"When they see everything clogged up, the first thing they're gonna do is bounce outside, and that's all me," said linebacker Dante Fowler, according to orlandosentinel.com. "Yesterday I thanked (Easley). Thank you for letting me make all those plays."

Easley considered turning pro early last year. He did not file for an evaluation from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, but he was projected as a mid-round draft pick had he declared for the draft.

Instead, he returned.

Easley indicated he's looking for bigger things from his performance this season. Yet, although undersized for an NFL interior defensive lineman, regard for Easley's skills has done nothing but climb since the season began.

He has certainly impressed Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin.

"I think he's played better than all right," Durkin said. "I'm glad he's hard on himself that way. He's a very self-motivated guy. That guy has an unbelievable motor, and he's definitely been better than all right."

UPDATE: Easley injured his knee at practice Tuesday. Head coach Will Muschamp said that he did not think the injury is serious, but was still waiting on a full diagnosis.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.