Gators head coach Jon Sumrall has hit the ground running this week to build next year's roster with help from the transfer portal, which opens on Friday. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: A Deep Dive Into Gators' History in Transfer Portal Era
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The fight is an unfair one, and frankly, not great for business for college football programs constantly battling perception vs. reality drama.
Since the regular season ended, social media has been flooded with players across the country announcing their plans to enter the transfer portal, which opens Friday and closes Jan. 16. For now, all fans see are players leaving, with none arriving.
That includes Gators fans, who, after a 4-8 season, probably shouldn't be as concerned as perhaps other fan bases. Still, there is comfort in the familiarity of the roster and uncertainty about the future under new head coach Jon Sumrall and a staff still finding its way around the Heavener Football Training Center.
I've shared my sentiment several times with fans who've asked what's going on via social media. If players don't want to be here or are told they are not wanted here, they should move on for everyone involved. And we're not exactly talking about the 1996 or 2006 Gators. The Gators are 29-34 over the past five seasons.
Of course, there is much more going on behind the scenes, and transparency in the process is limited due to a lack of regulation. Agents are working overtime to get the best deals for their clients. That is how the game works, like it or not, and until big-time college sports make the full-fledged leap to professional sports, contract terms and details that are public in the pros remain shrouded in mystery in the current collegiate landscape.
The transfer portal launched on Oct. 15, 2018, and changed college sports forever. Who would have imagined that a former teacher in Charleston, S.C., a graduate of a now-defunct private Baptist school named Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W.Va., and the former NCAA Director of Governance would alter college athletics more than, say, Nick Saban or Mike Krzyzewski?
Well, you're not alone.
Chart: ChatGPT.com based on information provided in Florida player charts below.
Peal is the creator of the transfer portal, a project she began in 2016 to ease communication among athletes, coaches, and administrators when a player is interested in transferring to another school.
"It amazes me,'' Peal told ESPN's Jeremy Schaap during the show. "I created something that I thought, 'Hey, this is a database that is going to help people out.' I never dreamed of the popularity, and just the word 'transfer portal.' I didn't realize it would be on signs at GameDay. It exploded."
Once the transfer portal launched, it altered the landscape and opened unforeseen possibilities. Even more so when, in April 2021, the NCAA instituted a one-time transfer rule that allowed student-athletes to transfer once without having to sit out a season. When the NCAA changed that policy in 2024 to allow athletes to transfer without restrictions on eligibility, a tidal wave formed and continues to swell.
The transfer portal, coupled with the name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation that went into effect in July 2021, created the pay-for-play market that currently exists but without the real-world guardrails of professional sports.
There are no tampering rules. The College Sports Commission was created to monitor revenue sharing and the NIL space, but it remains a work in progress. For now, everything appears transactional day by day until the portal closes and movement is halted.
With that backdrop established, I thought I would take a look at how the Gators have been impacted during the transfer portal era.
And since transfer season is dominating the daily news cycle in college football, I want to have a little fun, too. In the charts below, I have compiled data from a combination of sources – most notably the online transfer databases of 247Sports.com and On3.com, and reliable social media sources – to chart every UF player who has come and gone via the transfer portal since October 2018.
If I missed anyone, please let me know. Meanwhile, since everyone has an opinion on every player, here are a few of mine to add a light touch to this detail-overloaded piece.
Here goes:
Jonathan Greenard after his final game with the Gators in the 2019 Orange Bowl. (UAA file photo)
Receiver Caleb Douglas has blossomed in two seasons at Texas Tech. (UAA file photo)
INCOMING
Since the regular season ended, social media has been flooded with players across the country announcing their plans to enter the transfer portal, which opens Friday and closes Jan. 16. For now, all fans see are players leaving, with none arriving.
That includes Gators fans, who, after a 4-8 season, probably shouldn't be as concerned as perhaps other fan bases. Still, there is comfort in the familiarity of the roster and uncertainty about the future under new head coach Jon Sumrall and a staff still finding its way around the Heavener Football Training Center.
I've shared my sentiment several times with fans who've asked what's going on via social media. If players don't want to be here or are told they are not wanted here, they should move on for everyone involved. And we're not exactly talking about the 1996 or 2006 Gators. The Gators are 29-34 over the past five seasons.
Of course, there is much more going on behind the scenes, and transparency in the process is limited due to a lack of regulation. Agents are working overtime to get the best deals for their clients. That is how the game works, like it or not, and until big-time college sports make the full-fledged leap to professional sports, contract terms and details that are public in the pros remain shrouded in mystery in the current collegiate landscape.
The transfer portal launched on Oct. 15, 2018, and changed college sports forever. Who would have imagined that a former teacher in Charleston, S.C., a graduate of a now-defunct private Baptist school named Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W.Va., and the former NCAA Director of Governance would alter college athletics more than, say, Nick Saban or Mike Krzyzewski?
Well, you're not alone.
Peal is the creator of the transfer portal, a project she began in 2016 to ease communication among athletes, coaches, and administrators when a player is interested in transferring to another school.
"It amazes me,'' Peal told ESPN's Jeremy Schaap during the show. "I created something that I thought, 'Hey, this is a database that is going to help people out.' I never dreamed of the popularity, and just the word 'transfer portal.' I didn't realize it would be on signs at GameDay. It exploded."
Once the transfer portal launched, it altered the landscape and opened unforeseen possibilities. Even more so when, in April 2021, the NCAA instituted a one-time transfer rule that allowed student-athletes to transfer once without having to sit out a season. When the NCAA changed that policy in 2024 to allow athletes to transfer without restrictions on eligibility, a tidal wave formed and continues to swell.
The transfer portal, coupled with the name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation that went into effect in July 2021, created the pay-for-play market that currently exists but without the real-world guardrails of professional sports.
There are no tampering rules. The College Sports Commission was created to monitor revenue sharing and the NIL space, but it remains a work in progress. For now, everything appears transactional day by day until the portal closes and movement is halted.
With that backdrop established, I thought I would take a look at how the Gators have been impacted during the transfer portal era.
And since transfer season is dominating the daily news cycle in college football, I want to have a little fun, too. In the charts below, I have compiled data from a combination of sources – most notably the online transfer databases of 247Sports.com and On3.com, and reliable social media sources – to chart every UF player who has come and gone via the transfer portal since October 2018.
If I missed anyone, please let me know. Meanwhile, since everyone has an opinion on every player, here are a few of mine to add a light touch to this detail-overloaded piece.
Here goes:
- Best player the Gators have signed via the transfer portal? It seems lazy since he is the first player the Gators added after the portal became a thing, but Jonathan Greenard gets my vote. Remember, he was a grad transfer, and for the first couple of years, many of the players in the portal were veterans seeking a fresh start in their final year of eligibility. Greenard made a significant impact in his only season, helping the Gators go 11-2 and win the Orange Bowl. He is in his sixth year in the NFL and has 38 career sacks.
- Second-best player to sign with Florida from the portal? Offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence is my choice. He played only one season with the Gators after following former head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana, but he earned first-team All-American honors and earned a brick outside The Swamp.
- My favorite player Florida has signed from the portal? I've got to go with quarterback Graham Mertz, who, from the time he stepped on campus, was nothing but a professional, and while his time at UF was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury, he played well enough during the 2023 season to silence some of the critics.
- The player I thought would have a significant impact and didn't? Offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin had the physical tools to be a star. He also had a difficult upbringing, and when his mother, who was back in Louisville, passed away not long after he arrived, Goodwin left before playing a game.
- The player who left, I thought, would become a star? Defensive lineman Khris Bogle began to make his presence felt in 2021 and reminded me of Greenard in many ways. He opted to transfer in the transition from Dan Mullen to Napier and landed at Michigan State. He was a contributor with the Spartans, but never reached the level I had envisioned.
- The player I never could understand the fuss about from those obsessed with recruiting? Running back Demarkcus Bowman was a five-star out of high school and signed with Clemson. He transferred to UF and could never crack the lineup. He was small and not especially flashy, and when he transferred to UCF, I didn't expect much to change. It didn't.
- The player who most benefited by leaving Florida? My vote goes to receiver Caleb Douglas, who was underutilized with the Gators and has proven his case over the past two seasons at Texas Tech. Douglas has flourished with the Red Raiders and, based on their NIL collective's reputation, has probably been paid handsomely. Oh, and he is also playing in the College Football Playoff.
- The player I knew was a significant loss the moment I saw he was in the transfer portal: Linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper was good player at UF on the verge of being a standout. He left for Missouri and, after a pair of strong seasons with the Tigers, has proven his worth in two seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
- The player who could have helped but was gone? I'll go with edge rusher Antwaun Ryland-Powell, who tore up the Atlantic Coast Conference in two seasons at Virginia Tech. The previous staff undervalued Ryland-Powell because he was undersized. But if you watched him play and listened to what he said, you could tell he had a hunger to be great. He fulfilled his potential with the Hokies.
- The current player who has announced plans to transfer that I'd most like to see the Gators keep? The new staff flipped tight end Amir Jackson back onto the roster, which was a very good move in my opinion. Maybe they can do the same with freshman edge rusher Jayden Woods. It will likely be costly since Woods started to flash on the field late in the season, but he could be worth the investment. There are no guarantees, and it took me a while to warm up to Woods since many had anointed him a future star in preseason camp without any real sample size, but it's clear he has a huge upside and can be a very good player at the collegiate level.
INCOMING
| PLAYER | POS. | YEAR | SCHOOL | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Greenard | EDGE | 2019 | Louisville | One-season star at UF as a graduate transfer |
| Stewart Reese | OL | 2020 | Miss. State | Veteran familiar with Dan Mullen's offense |
| Zack Sessa* | K | 2020 | Georgia So. | DNP, short stay at UF |
| Lorenzo Lingard | RB | 2020 | Miami | 5 stars created buzz, but little impact |
| Noah Keeter* | OLB | 2020 | UCLA | Local kid came home |
| Justin Shorter | WR | 2020 | Penn State | Playmaker produced with help from mom |
| Jordan Pouncey | WR | 2020 | Texas | Mr. Cowboy Hat, upbeat energy |
| Khamel Ellison* | CB | 2020 | FAU | Non-factor on field |
| Brenton Cox. Jr. | OLB | 2020 | Georgia | Some good, bad and ugly; four sacks vs. FSU |
| Tyrone Truesdell | DL | 2021 | Auburn | Emergency addition under new system |
| Elijah Blades | CB | 2021 | Texas A&M | Remember some hype, that's about all |
| Jadarrius Perkins | CB | 2021 | Missouri | Big smile stood out, played some too |
| Kaleb Botang | OL | 2021 | Clemson | Depth insurance, tragic ending to his life |
| Jace Christmann | K | 2021 | Miss. State | Kickoff specialist at UF |
| Daquan Newkirk | DT | 2021 | Auburn | See above: Truesdell |
| Antonio Valentino | DL | 2021 | Penn State | Passionate, quotable, loved to play game |
| Demarkcus Bowman | RB | 2021 | Clemson | 5-star whose career was far from stardom |
| Ricky Pearsall | WR | 2022 | Arizona State | A top-tier transfer who made 'The Catch' |
| Jalen Kimber | CB | 2022 | Georgia | Valuable veteran who filled some holes |
| O'Cyrus Torrence | OL | 2022 | Louisiana | All-American addition with a great backstory |
| Montrell Johnson Jr. | RB | 2022 | Louisiana | Solid, reliable, tough and underrated by many |
| Kamryn Waites | OL | 2022 | Louisiana | Inconsistent, injured most of time with Gators |
| Jack Miller | QB | 2022 | Ohio State | Las Vegas Bowl starter who faded away |
| Lyndell Hudson | OL | 2023 | FIU | Depth piece up front |
| RJ Moten | LB | 2023 | Michigan | Special teams guy from winning program |
| Cam Carroll | RB | 2023 | Tulane | Injury ended UF stint after long run at Tulane |
| Mannie Nunnery | LB | 2023 | Houston | Recall a spring INT and a memorable quote |
| Ja'Kobi Jackson | RB | 2023 | Coahoma (Miss.) CC | Rushed for 509 yards, 7 TDs in 2024 |
| Deuce Spurlock II | LB | 2023 | Michigan | Never found his place, slow for SEC |
| Cam Jackson | DL | 2023 | Memphis | Personable kid, big upside now in NFL |
| Micah Mazzccua | OL | 2023 | Baylor | Would not fight him if he puts up dukes |
| Kiyaunta Goodwin | OL | 2023 | Kentucky | Looked the part, left for family reasons |
| Damieon George Jr. | OL | 2023 | Alabama | Emerged as starter and played a lot of snaps |
| Caleb Banks | DL | 2023 | Louisville | Best is yet to come after injuries slowed him |
| Teradja Mitchell | LB | 2023 | Ohio State | High-quality team guy |
| Graham Mertz | QB | 2023 | Wisconsin | Classy professional won over fan base |
| Elijhah Badger | WR | 2024 | Arizona State | Made some big plays as downfield target |
| Cormani McClain | CB | 2024 | Colorado | Potential to be great if he remains on course |
| Aidan Warner | QB | 2024 | Yale | Tossed into tough spot at Texas |
| Jason Zandamela | OL | 2024 | Southern Cal | Has tools, learned behind Jake Slaughter |
| Jamroc Grimsley | CB | 2024 | Alabama | Derailed by knee injury |
| Asa Turner | S | 2024 | Washington | Got hurt, never made an impact on field |
| Grayson Howard | LB | 2024 | South Carolina | Started off solid enough as young guys learned |
| Clay Millen | QB | 2024 | Colorado State | Only played in practice |
| Alfonzo Allen Jr. | S | 2024 | Baylor | Proved he can tackle after getting on field |
| DJ Douglas | S | 2024 | Tulane | Not a great UF season |
| Trikweze Bridges | DB | 2024 | Oregon | Got better as season progressed, got drafted |
| Devon Manuel | OL | 2024 | Arkansas | Added for depth, and at 6-7, added height |
| Chimere Dike | WR | 2024 | Wisconsin | Surpassed expectations, continues to surprise |
| Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson | OL | 2024 | San Diego State | Thrilled to spend final season at UF |
| Joey Slackman | DL | 2024 | Penn | Learned the Ivy League is not the SEC |
| Caleb Rillos | TE | 2024 | Air Force | Got hurt, never played, remained engaged |
| George Gumbs Jr. | EDGE | 2024 | Northern Illinois | Had a breakout 2024 season that paid off |
| Mike Peterson Jr.* | WR | 2025 | Arkansas State | Spring game TD catch |
| Brendan Bett | DL | 2025 | Baylor | Rebounded from a spitting start to contribute |
| Harold Stubbs IV* | S | 2025 | Florida State | Rare FSU addition DNP |
| Harrison Bailey | QB | 2025 | Louisville | Signed as an insurance policy only |
| Micheal Caraway Jr. | S | 2025 | Southern Miss | Got hurt early in season, lost in shuffle |
| J. Michael Sturdivant | WR | 2025 | UCLA | Veteran target oh-so-close vs. Georgia |
| Kofi Asare | EDGE | 2025 | UMass | Provided another body on defensive front |
| Tommy Doman | P | 2025 | Michigan | Boomed a few punts, including a 71-yarder |
OUTGOING
| PLAYER | POS. | YEAR | SCHOOL | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Villano* | OL | 2019 | N/A | Retired as player |
| Brian Edwards | DB | 2019 | Central Michigan | Ran into trouble after following Jim McElwain |
| Rayshad Jackson | LB | 2019 | UNLV | Strong season with Rebels included 99 tackles |
| Chris Steele | CB | 2019 | Southern Cal | Overhyped as a recruit based on career |
| Jalon Jones | QB | 2019 | Jackson State | Trouble from start at UF, finished at B-CU |
| Malik Langham | DL | 2019 | Vanderbilt | Moved to Purdue to cap unremarkable career |
| Antonneous Clayton | DL | 2019 | Georgia Tech | Injuries cost physically gifted player after UF |
| Kylan Johnson | LB | 2019 | Pittsburgh | 10.5 TFL in his lone season at Pitt |
| T.J. McCoy | C | 2019 | Louisville | Best days were with Gators |
| Daniel Justino* | K | 2019 | Northwestern State | Got to play a season at smaller school |
| Daquon Green | WR | 2019 | Murray State | Finished at Indiana U of Pennsylvania |
| Dionte Marks | WR | 2020 | UCF | Five games with Knights over two seasons |
| Issiah Walker Jr. | OL | 2020 | Miami | Well-traveled, on West Florida roster in 2025 |
| Umstead Sanders* | LB | 2020 | Jacksonville State | Put together pair of productive seasons at JSU |
| Feleipe Franks | QB | 2020 | Arkansas | He will always have Hail Mary win over Vols |
| Lucas Krull | TE | 2020 | Pittsburgh | Two productive years at Pitt, earned NFL shot |
| Nick Sproles* | QB | 2020 | SW Oklahoma State | Grad assistant on James Madison staff in 2024 |
| Chris Bleich | OL | 2020 | Syracuse | Three-year starter for Orange; All-ACC honorable mention |
| John Huggins | S | 2020 | Robert Morris | Dismissed by Gators, finished at Jackson State |
| Jahari Rogers | CB | 2021 | SMU | After 4 seasons at SMU, finished at Colorado State in 2025 |
| T.J. Moore | OL | 2021 | Charlotte | Two seasons at Charlotte after three at UF |
| C.J. McWilliams | CB | 2021 | Purdue | If he played for Boilermakers, records lost |
| Zack Sessa* | K | 2021 | USF | Appeared in a game for Bulls |
| James Houston | LB | 2021 | Jackson State | Had a big season with Deion Sanders, broke into NFL |
| Chester Kimbrough | CB | 2021 | Michigan State | Produced three stellar seasons in East Lansing |
| Jesiah Pierre | LB | 2021 | Texas Tech | Finished at UCF after three solid seasons at Texas Tech |
| Jaylin Jackson* | WR | 2021 | Reedley College | A productive season at Reedley led to two more at Western Illinois |
| Iverson Clement | RB | 2021 | Temple | Finished as a cornerback at B-CU in 2023 |
| Quincy Linton | S | 2021 | Youngstown State | Left UF during 2020 season, spent three seasons at Youngstown State |
| Andrew Chatfield | DL | 2022 | Oregon State | Faced his former teammates in Las Vegas Bowl in 2022 |
| Mordecai McDaniel | LB | 2022 | Iowa Western CC | Resurfaced at Charlotte before transferring to Oklahoma State in 2025 |
| Chris Howard | K | 2022 | Memphis | Unable to win UF job, he had productive final season with Tigers |
| Fenley Graham | CB | 2022 | Florida A&M | Disappeared from field after transfer to Rattlers |
| Demarkcus Bowman | RB | 2022 | UCF | Highly-touted Lakeland product managed only 175 yards at three schools |
| Carlos Del Rio-Wilson | QB | 2022 | Syracuse | Two seasons with Orange, transferred to Marshall, and set for final season in 2026 |
| Lamar Goods | DL | 2022 | University of Manitoba | Had 26 tackles north of border for Bisons this season |
| Emory Jones | QB | 2022 | Arizona State | Started at UF in 2021, Arizona State in 2022, and Cincinnati in 2023 |
| Ty'Ron Hopper | LB | 2022 | Missouri | Talented defender finished strong at Mizzou, now in second season with Packers |
| Kemore Gamble | TE | 2022 | UCF | Best season at UF in 2021; dropped off with Knights in 2022 |
| Mohamoud Diabate | LB | 2022 | Utah | Lost to Gators in return to Swamp in 2022; in third season with Browns |
| Jacob Copeland | WR | 2022 | Maryland | Caught 26 passes in final season, 15 fewer than previous season at UF |
| Khris Bogle | EDGE | 2022 | Michigan State | Three average seasons with Spartans after three at UF raised stock. |
| Gerald Mincey | OL | 2022 | Tennessee | Started with Gators, then two seasons in Knoxville, and finished at Kentucky |
| Elijah Blades | CB | 2022 | Buffalo | At last check was a member of the Vegas Knight Hawks of the Indoor Football League |
| Khamal Ellison* | CB | 2022 | N/A | Based on research, retired from game after UF |
| Jalen Kitna | QB | 2023 | UAB | Off-field headlines led to time away from game, resurfaced at UAB in 2024 |
| Antwaun Powell-Ryland | EDGE | 2023 | Virginia Tech | A good one that got away, recorded 25.5 sacks in two seasons with Hokies |
| Xzavier Henderson | WR | 2023 | Cincinnati | 117 catches, more than 1,500 yards and 7 TDs in two seasons with Bearcats |
| David Conner | OL | 2023 | Colorado | Andrews College, Florida, Colorado, Texas State … he could be anywhere right now |
| Tre'Vez Johnson | DB | 2023 | Missouri | Solid college career from start, finished with two seasons with Tigers |
| Ethan White | OL | 2023 | Southern Cal | Reshaped body to become starter at UF, but retired before playing at USC |
| Jordan Young | CB | 2023 | Cincinnati | Had 29 tackles and an INT at Arkansas this season; spent 2 seasons at Cincy after UF |
| Michael Tarquin | OL | 2023 | Southern Cal | Started at USC in 2023 and Oklahoma in 2024 |
| Chris Thomas | DL | 2023 | Marshall | Two seasons at UF, two at Marshall, and 2025 at Syracuse (9 games, 7 tackles) |
| Corey Collier | CB | 2023 | Nebraska | Regular in secondary past two seasons at FAMU after season at Nebraska |
| Lloyd Summerall | EDGE | 2023 | USF | Shots of him and his father on recruiting visit to UF stand out as a highlight |
| Diwun Black | LB | 2023 | Temple | A media Heisman candidate his first spring camp at UF, but found home in final two seasons at Temple |
| Nick Elksnis | TE | 2023 | South Carolina | Resurfaced at UNLV with Dan Mullen in 2025 |
| Jalen Lee | DL | 2023 | LSU | After two forgettable seasons at LSU, produced 33 tackles with UNLV in 2025 |
| Kamar Wilcoxson | S | 2023 | Temple | Finished career with a quiet season at Temple in 2023 |
| Yousef Mugharbil | OL | 2023 | Colorado | Injured on a scooter at UF, left for Colorado, finished at NC State |
| Donovan McMillon | S | 2023 | Pittsburgh | Physical player had 220 combined tackles in two seasons with Panthers |
| David Reese | LB | 2023 | Cal | Will never forget his reaction when Heavener Center opened; played two seasons at Cal, and then at Syracuse in 2025 |
| Chief Borders | LB | 2023 | Nebraska | Personable player spent time at UF, Nebraska, Pitt before rejoining Mullen this year at UNLV |
| Lorenzo Lingard | RB | 2023 | Akron | Best season came in his lone season with Zips |
| Daejon Reynolds | WR | 2023 | Pittsburgh | Two seasons at Pitt followed his UF career; finished with 33 catches at UNLV in 2025 |
| Avery Helm | CB | 2023 | TCU | Finished third year at TCU with limited production this season |
| Nay'Quan Wright | RB | 2023 | USF | Rushed for more than 1,300 yards in two seasons with Bulls |
| Griffin McDowell | OL | 2023 | Chattanooga | Bulked up and started in only season with Mocs |
| Trent Whittemore | WR | 2023 | UCF | Nine receptions in two seasons at UCF |
| Joshua Braun | OL | 2023 | Arkansas | SEC veteran played at Arkansas and Kentucky after two seasons with Gators |
| Marco Ortiz | LS | 2023 | Nebraska | Took his talents to Lincoln for a final season |
| Ethan Pouncey | CB | 2024 | Georgia Southern | Good student and team player; has not played since UF according to school website |
| Mannie Nunnery | LB | 2024 | Texas State | Returned home for a final season and made five starts |
| Richie Leonard IV | OL | 2024 | Florida State | Played final game last month where he started, but this time as enemy in The Swamp |
| Scooby Williams | LB | 2024 | Texas A&M | After 43-tackle season in 2024, injuries limited his effectiveness this season |
| Jaydon Hill | DB | 2024 | Texas A&M | Injuries hampered him in five seasons at UF; finished career with solid season with Aggies |
| Micah Mazzccua | OL | 2024 | Nebraska | Baylor transfer spent one season with Gators before departing for Cornhuskers |
| Jalen Kimber | CB | 2024 | Penn State | Closed with career-high 37 tackles at Penn State in 2024 |
| Miguel Mitchell | S | 2024 | Arkansas | Recorded 26 tackles and an interception this season, his second with Razorbacks |
| Will Norman | DL | 2024 | Marshall | Recently signed with Troy after stops at UF, Marshall, West Georgia and Iowa Central CC |
| Trevor Etienne | RB | 2024 | Georgia | Spent a season at Georgia after a pair of more productive seasons with Gators, declared for NFL Draft |
| Princely Umanmielen | EDGE | 2024 | Ole Miss | Departed in a huff after loss to Gators a season ago at Swamp in only year with Rebels |
| Keenan Landry | DL | 2024 | Kent State | Played a season at Kent before transferring to McNeese this season (26 tackles, 3 sacks) |
| Caleb Douglas | WR | 2024 | Texas Tech | Has 114 receptions, more than 1,700 yards, 13 TDs in two seasons at Texas Tech |
| Jalen Farmer | OL | 2024 | Kentucky | Two-year starter for Wildcats after playing sparingly in two seasons at UF |
| Andrew Savaiinaea | TE | 2024 | Nevada | After a season at Nevada, is currently on Mullen's UNLV roster |
| Carlson Joseph* | RB | 2024 | Mars Hill University | Played in eight games this season at Mars Hill, primarily on special teams |
| Jordan Herman | OL | 2024 | Charlotte | Spent a season at Charlotte, then transferred to Sacramento State, where he started before an injury in 2025 |
| Max Brown | QB | 2024 | Charlotte | Started against FSU at The Swamp in 2023, transferred to Charlotte, then to West Virginia in 2025 |
| Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman | WR | 2024 | Rice | Six catches, 55 yards for UConn this season; spent 2024 season at Rice |
| Jonathan Odom | TE | 2024 | Eastern Michigan | Retired due to injuries, never played at Eastern Michigan |
| Kamari Wilson | S | 2024 | Arizona State | Breakout season at Memphis in 2025 (84 tackles, 2 INT) after previous season with Sun Devils |
| Chris McClellan | DL | 2024 | Missouri | Two seasons at UF, two at Missouri; had 48 tackles, six sacks this season |
| Jadarrius Perkins | CB | 2024 | Toledo | Had a strong final season at Delaware State following a lost year at Toledo |
| D'Antre Robinson | DL | 2025 | North Carolina | 39 tackles, 2.5 TFL for disappointing Tar Heels |
| Gannon Burt* | LS | 2025 | North Carolina | Reserve role in first season in Chapel Hill |
| Chase Stevens* | OL | 2025 | Kennesaw State | Former UF walk-on played 10 games in 2025 |
| Gregory Smith III | S | 2025 | North Carolina | Logged 24 tackles, 1 INT in first season at UNC |
| Marcus Burke | WR | 2025 | UCF | Had 13 catches, 181 yards in debut season with Knights in Scott Frost's return |
| T.J. Searcy | EDGE | 2025 | Texas A&M | Slight drop in production with Aggies, three tackles in CFB Playoff loss to Miami |
| Gavin Hill | TE | 2025 | Florida A&M | Committed to Rattlers, but is currently on Garden City (Kan.) CC roster |
| Dawson Johnson* | TE | 2025 | Old Dominion | Former UF walk-on got on field in first season with Monarchs (2 starts, 10 catches, 99 yards) |
| Jack Pyburn | LB | 2025 | LSU | Registered 52 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks with Tigers after much-publicized departure |
| Adam Mihalek | K | 2025 | N/A | Brief UF starter DNP, appears to have retired from game |
| Parker Leise | QB | 2025 | N/A | Did not sign with anyone, but he can always get a free meal at The Drover in Omaha |
| Brian Green Jr. | WR | 2025 | Georgia Southern | Made honor roll, appeared in 5 games first year with Eagles |
| Deuce Spurlock II | LB | 2025 | Liberty | Made 15 tackles in 9 games with Flames |
| Arlis Boardingham | TE | 2025 | Bowling Green | Did not play in 2025 after 44 catches, 6 TDs previous two seasons with Gators |
| Christian Williams | OL | 2025 | Liberty | Started 10 games at right tackle for Flames |
| Kelby Collins | DL | 2025 | Alabama | Made 10 tackles, had two sacks in eight games |
| Andre Morris* | DL | 2025 | Iowa Central CC | Recorded 11 tackles in 8 games; committed to Tennessee-Martin last month |
| Ja'Keem Jackson | CB | 2025 | LSU | Found it hard to crack lineup, made only six tackles and battled injuries |
| Zak Sedaros* | WR | 2025 | Valdosta State | In five games: 5 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD |
| Mike Williams | OL | 2025 | Towson | Did not see any game action in first season at Towson near his Maryland home |
| Quincy Ivory | EDGE | 2025 | Jackson State | One of best stories in 2025 as SWAC Defensive Player of Year (14 TFL, 6 sacks) |
| Bryce Capers | EDGE | 2025 | N/A | No evidence found of him signing or playing elsewhere this year |
| Justus Boone | DL | 2025 | Arkansas | Played 10 games and finished with 28 tackles for Razorbacks after injuries stalled UF career |
| Andy Jean | WR | 2025 | Pittsburgh | Speedy receiver landed at Arkansas after spring at Pitt; one catch, 21 yards for Hogs |
| Stephon Shivers | DL | 2025 | Tennessee State | Massive DT got into trouble soon after coming to UF, dismissed and landed at TSU (30 tackles, 3.5 TFL) |
| Muizz Tounkara | WR | 2026 | TBA | Under-the-radar project former staff seemed to search for and try to develop |
| Tarvorise Brown | DL | 2026 | North Carolina | Flashed in preseason camp but mostly a nonfactor once games started |
| DJ Lagway | QB | 2026 | TBA | Face of program is looking for a new home after 19 UF starts and inconsistent 2025 season |
| KD Daniels | RB | 2026 | Wake Forest | Touchdown in Gasparilla Bowl his highlight |
| Mike Peterson Jr.* | WR | 2026 | TBA | Moving on in search of opportunity to play |
| Josiah Davis | S | 2026 | TBA | Unable to get onto field as redshirt freshman |
| Jordan Castell | S | 2026 | TBA | Three-year starter who was serviceable but not an elite player on back end |
| Aidan Mizell | WR | 2026 | UCLA | Had a couple of moments but plagued by injuries, inconsistency |
| Teddy Foster | CB | 2026 | USF | Not a lot to remember in short UF stay |
| Marcus Mascoll | OL | 2026 | TBA | See above: Foster |
| Jamroc Grimsley | CB | 2026 | TBA | Never fit in after transferring from Alabama |
| Tank Hawkins | WR | 2026 | TBA | Said goodbye before season was over |
| Grayson Howard | LB | 2026 | TBA | Lost his job and apparently his desire to play for Gators as he remained on sideline |
| Hayden Hansen | TE | 2026 | Oklahoma | Workmanlike player who was a regular contributor in two tight-end sets |
| Michai Boireau | DL | 2026 | TBA | A promising player who should attract suitors; clinched Billy Napier's final UF win with INT |
| Enoch Wangoy | OL | 2026 | TBA | OK, need to look up where he was from |
| Devon Manuel | OL | 2026 | TBA | He was here but seemed invisible at 6-foot-7 |
| Naeshaun Montgomery | WR | 2026 | TBA | Arrived with promise but played sparingly |
| Noel Portnjagin | OL | 2026 | TBA | OK, need to look up where he was from, too |
| Eugene Wilson III | WR | 2026 | TBA | Injuries zapped production after a stellar freshman season created buzz |
| Sharif Denson | DB | 2026 | Ole Miss | Physical player who figured to have a role under new coaching staff |
| Chad Gasper Jr. | RB | 2026 | TBA | Hardly knew him |
| Jayden Woods | EDGE | 2026 | TBA | By end of season looked like a building block of future; undoubtedly a target in transfer market |
| Aaron Gates | DB | 2026 | Kentucky | One of team's best DBs in 2024 until injuries resurfaced and set him back in 2025 |
| Jackson Wade* | WR | 2026 | TBA | Special-teams player; one catch, 10 yards |
| Evan Noel | K | 2026 | TBA | Top-rated recruit, DNP in 2025 |
| Treyaun Webb | RB | 2026 | TBA | Had 93 yards on 21 carries as freshman; injured in 2025 |
| Cameron Kossmann | TE | 2026 | TBA | Only appearance came in season opener |
| Ja'Kobi Jackson | RB | 2026 | TBA | Great upbeat energy, unfortunate injury spoiled his 2025 season |
| Hayden Craig | P | 2026 | TBA | DNP, short stay at UF for Canadian import |
| Mack Mulhern | LS | 2026 | TBA | DNP as freshman after coming to UF from Arizona |
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballChris Collin Press Conference
Wednesday, February 11
Marcus Davis Press Conference
Wednesday, February 11
Trent McKnight Press Conference
Wednesday, February 11
Joe Craddock Press Conference
Monday, February 09
