DeGabriel Floyd Makes ELAC History, Signs with Michigan Panthers of the UFL
by Cerwin D Haynes
(photos by Mario Villegas and Sophia Priebe)
The main goal of athletic departments in the community college realm is to help their student-athletes obtain scholarship opportunities at the the four-year level. Occasionally, a few of those transfers who matriculate from the university level end up playing professionally - an extra feather in the cap.
Within the 21st century, East LA College Football has a long list of successful student-athlete transfers, and even a handful that have gone on to play pro ball. But none that have ever made the jump directly from ELAC to pro.
Do-it-all defensive back DeGabriel Floyd has just broken the mold.
Floyd, the product out of Westlake HS, has just signed a contract with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL (newly combined league of the USFL and XFL). He becomes the first ELAC football player to go pro directly from campus, and only the second ever football player in the history of California JUCO football to make such jump (Mt. SAC's Alfonso Boone was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2000).
Floyd, who played in all three phases of football (offense/defense/special teams) lead the 2023 Huskies in total touchdowns scored with 16, including three touchdowns scored on punt returns. The All-SCFA 1st-Teamer and two-time SCFA Player of the Week is one of the best athletes ever recruited to Monterey Park, and we had the chance to catch up with him about his journey from high school to ELAC and now to the UFL.
CH: First of all, congratulations on signing with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL. You're only the second ever football player in the history of California JUCO to sign a pro contract right out of a community college program (the first was Alfonso Boone in 2000 out of Mt. SAC). Talk about what this opportunity means to you.
DF: First, I wanna say thank you. What it means to me is honestly a blessing [of course]. Also a surreal feeling, but very much deserved because a lot of people don't know or haven't seen the amount of work and obsession I've had over this game. So though it is a great feat I've amassed, it was surely earned.
CH: You've had an interesting journey to get to ELAC. You were a highly-regarded recruit out of Westlake HS, landed at the University of Texas. Medical issues initially forced you retire athletically, but then you were eventually cleared to resume playing. You were set to join Alabama A&M, but you quickly changed course... How were you able to maintain your focus mentally during this difficult stretch?
DF: I honestly lost myself after I was forced to retire. It was the biggest shock in my life at that point beside losing my biological father early on my life, because over the years football became who I was. Being forced to retire felt like I lost my life's work, and made me feel like I couldn't be what I wanted to be. What kept me going and growing into a better headspace was God, and the people - along with the positions - He was putting me in. He took my mind off the sport by giving me another way to express myself and provide through music, and in doing that He started to slowly build me into who He needed me to be.
CH: What was it about ELAC and the coaching staff that sold you on trusting them with the building and rebuilding of your playing career?
DF: Honestly, what sold me on ELAC was how close it was to home and the system of how things are ran there. Coach G [ELAC Football head coach Bobby Godinez] has a great staff and does a great job of trying to give us tips and tricks to better our game, that all transfer[s] to where we all want to go: which is the NFL. With the connections he has and the confidence he helps instills in his guys, it was a no brainer.
CH: When did you first learn that the UFL - and the Panthers – were looking at you?
DF: I became aware that they were interested I believe the last week of camp, after our first game against Grossmont. It was clear to me that they liked what they saw to the point they were willing to sign me out of JUCO.
CH: How does it feel to be paid professionally to do what you love?
DF: Feels like where I'm suppose to be. Truly a dream come true.