Gators defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen, No. 1, is the latest UF player to announce he has entered the transfer portal. (Photo: UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators in Era of Transfer Portal Graphic Announcements
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
Share:
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 1,629-page "ESPN College Football Encyclopedia" was published in 2005, the year before Tim Tebow signed with the Gators. That's one way of saying a lot has happened since the heavyweight volume hit bookstores.
In fact, they don't print many books that size these days, and if they did, there are much fewer brick-and-mortar shops around to buy it. Your best bet is online for those who have been locked in a closet the past two decades.
Meanwhile, I pulled my hefty copy off the shelf Wednesday afternoon curious to read about other eras the game has endured as transfer-portal notices blipped across the computer screen in front of me. The game has survived an era of violent on-field player deaths, nasty court battles, national polls, racial unrest, controversial championships, shady boosters, crooked bowl officials, cheating coaches and inept administrators.
The list goes on and on — as does college football.
Scenes such as the Gator Walk outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium are what make college football a special sport. (File photo: Kelly Chase/UAA Communications)
Included in the early portion of the book is a roundtable discussion with three people still connected to the game today: Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. They were asked to defend the game despite all its turmoil in the final segment of their discussion with editor Michael MacCambridge.
Fowler perhaps said it best in his final statement: "You just have to focus on what is pure and simple about college football and not dwell on the dark side."
That is easier said than done as 2023 nears the finish line.
Still, you try your best as social media rages about the controversy over this season's College Football Playoff teams, how NIL is bad for college athletics, how conference realignment killed the Pac-12, and how the transfer portal has destroyed player loyalty.
They yell and scream with no end in sight.
All I know about college football is what the late, great Dan Jenkins wrote in the introduction of the same book nearly 20 years ago.
"College football is the most emotional, hysterical, colorful, musical, thunderous, riveting, dramatic, historical, suspenseful and meaningful game that was ever developed by mankind and Walter Camp for passionate Americans and shapely, adorable cheerleaders."
Yup, sounds about right to me.
In the spirit of the zaniness that the transfer portal has introduced to the sport — and the fact that for better or worse, the portal is dominating the news cycle — let's rank the transfer-portal announcement graphics that the Gators have shared to make their intentions known. What else is there to talk about until the Gators add players in the coming weeks.
A disclaimer: a player can be in the portal today, and out tomorrow, or vice versa. The transfer portal never sleeps.
Finally, wonder what Walter Camp would think about all this?
Without further adieu, my highly scientific transfer-portal graphic rankings for the Gators who have announced their entry into the portal or strongly suggested they are headed elsewhere:
ALL-AMERICA
Look, I'm old-school. I prefer proper grammar, clean copy and a good action shot. Kicker Adam Mihalek delivers all three here, and as a bonus, that's former Gators coach Will Muschamp watching from the sideline …
Tight end Jonathan Odom uses multiple photos, including one of an impressive stiff arm. Stiff arms should be required for transfer-portal graphics. Thought the black paint on his face added some grittiness. Overall, a strong graphic to emulate if you ever decide to transfer …
Defensive lineman Keenan Landry kept his message simple and used multiple photos arranged accordingly. What else does a transfer-portal graphic really need? …
First off I would like to thank Coach Napier and Coach Spence for giving me the opportunity to play at the University of Florida. The relationships and memories I have built with my brothers will be something I always cherish. I have entered my name into the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/7UdJd3P0Ue
Defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen made his announcement Wednesday, though he hasn't ruled out a return via his X account. Always a good idea to have your name spelled out clearly when you have that many vowels. Also, strong use of a flag. A four-star announcement graphic in the eyes of someone who admittedly has never created an announcement graphic …
A very solid graphic here from quarterback Max Brown. By the way, Mr. Hayes Fawcett seems to be the go-to graphic man for those who hit the portal early, and he delivered in this one for Brown, who said goodbye right when people started to say hello …
BREAKING: Florida QB Max Brown plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @On3Sports
The 6'3 220 QB will have 3 years of eligibility remaining
Not much to dislike about this graphic other than it was made for receiver Caleb Douglas, who I had projected as a solid contributor in 2024 following his injury-shortened 2023 season ...
The photo caught my eye here, and let's be honest, any graphic that correctly spells Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman correctly deserves a passing grade (hope I spelled it correctly) …
The intro paid respect to defensive lineman Chris McClellan's time at Florida in this stick-to-the-basics approach. Solid effort from a player who many think his best days are ahead. Disappointing to see him pack his bags but reinforcements are on the way …
Much like Shakespeare, I'm a big fan of brevity. Why use 4,000 characters when you can say what you want to say in around 3,900 fewer words the way defensive lineman Will Norman said goodbye …
Thank you for everything Gator Nation, you will always hold a special place in my heart !
Defensive back Kamari Wilson is clearly a fan of Shakespeare, which in the world of transfer-portal announcement graphics is something to be appreciated …
Shared an elevator with Jadarrius Perkins during Florida's road trip to Utah. A pleasant guy with a big smile who decided to move on after the first game. He used a basic method and should have spell-checked Scott Stricklin …
My lasting memory of massive offensive lineman Jordan Herman is standing behind him on the sideline during preseason camp to find some shade. He is a big, big guy …
Offensive linemen often stick to the nuts and bolts. Nothing fancy here. Jalen Farmer got his message across and, when you think about it, that's really all that matters …
Gator Insider & Up Next 11-28-25Gator Insider & Up Next 11-28-25
Friday, November 28
Inside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF HealthInside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF Health
Tuesday, November 25
Inside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF Health (November 25, 2025)Inside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF Health (November 25, 2025)
Tuesday, November 25
Florida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Press Conference | Florida StateFlorida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Press Conference | Florida State
