Florida Gators 2026 Transfer Portal: Key Departures and New Additions

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The Florida Gators football program is in the middle of a big shakeup this offseason. Several important players have entered the transfer portal.

With Jon Sumrall stepping in as the new head coach, the Gators face tough decisions about keeping players and reshaping the roster. They’ve got to figure out how to keep the team together while a lot is changing behind the scenes.

The transfer portal officially opens January 2, but a handful of players have already announced they’re leaving. Sumrall has talked a lot about wanting to keep the roster together, but it’s clear some big names are moving on.

Table of Contents

Transfer Portal Activity

Florida’s seeing a wave of departures as transfer season gets rolling. Let’s break down some of the most notable exits so far.

Key Departures

DJ Lagway: The sophomore quarterback and former five-star recruit is easily the biggest loss. Lagway, who started for Florida the last season and a half, announced he’s leaving on December 15. He racked up 4,179 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 237 rushing yards. His exit leaves a huge hole at quarterback.
Jordan Castell: Starting safety Jordan Castell is also on his way out. Castell, a three-year starter, announced his departure just hours after Lagway. He piled up 169 tackles and three interceptions at Florida, so the defense loses a real anchor.
Aidan Mizell: Mizell, a wide receiver and consensus four-star recruit, said he’d hit the portal on December 16. He played in 11 games in 2024, catching 17 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. The receivers take a hit, but there’s still plenty of talent there.
Teddy Foster: Redshirt freshman defensive back Teddy Foster announced his transfer plans right after Mizell. Foster played five games as a true freshman and saw more special teams work in 2025. His exit takes away some depth for the next group of defensive backs.

Impact on the Depth Chart

Losing guys like Lagway, Castell, and Mizell will shake up the depth chart, no question. Still, Florida’s got returning players and new recruits who could step up. Let’s look at the positions most affected.

Quarterback Room

With Lagway gone, the quarterback room now has Tramell Jones Jr., Aidan Warner, and Aaron Williams. Florida also just signed four-star recruit Will Griffin. It’s pretty likely they’ll look for a transfer quarterback to compete with Jones for the top spot.

Receiving Corps

Even after losing Mizell and Muizz Tounkara, the receivers look solid. Vernell Brown III, Eugene Wilson III, and Dallas Wilson are all back and could start. The Gators also added four-star receiver Davian Groce and athletes Marquez Daniel and Justin Williams during early signing.

Defensive Backs

With Castell and Foster leaving, the secondary takes a hit, but there’s still depth. Dijon Johnson and Cormani McClain are likely starters next season. Bryce Thornton, Sharif Denson, and Aaron Gates round out the options. The Gators also brought in CJ Bronaugh and CJ Hester to boost the defensive backfield.

Future Recruiting and Player Development

Coach Sumrall and his staff are putting a lot of effort into rebuilding through recruiting and developing players. The early signing period brought in some promising names, and Florida should stay active in the portal to fill key spots.

Early Signing Period Additions

Davian Groce: Four-star receiver who adds depth to the group.
Kendall Guervil: Four-star defensive lineman to help the front line.
Heze Kent: Four-star tight end who’ll get a shot at early playing time.
CJ Bronaugh and CJ Hester: Defensive backs who give the secondary more options.

Transfer Portal Strategy

With so many departures, the Gators are probably going to be aggressive in the portal. They’ll likely focus on finding a quarterback to compete with Jones, plus fill needs at running back and other spots hit by recent transfers.

Conclusion

The Florida Gators are facing a tough offseason. Several key players have entered the transfer portal, and it’s definitely shaking things up.

With Jon Sumrall stepping in as head coach, the focus has shifted. He’s zeroing in on player retention, recruiting, and patching up the roster.

It stings to see players like DJ Lagway, Jordan Castell, and Aidan Mizell move on. Still, there’s a solid group of returning talent, and some new recruits look promising.

If you want more details on the Gators’ transfer portal moves, check out the Florida Football Transfer Portal Tracker. It’s updated regularly, so you won’t miss much.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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