The Florida Gators football team is bracing for big changes as the 2026 season approaches. First-year head coach Jon Sumrall is at the helm, and honestly, it feels like a fresh start is overdue.
After a tough 4-8 run in 2025, the Gators are using the transfer portal to rebuild. More than 20 players, including some starters, have entered the portal, so the staff is hustling to bring in new faces for key spots.
Here’s a look at who’s out, who’s in, and what’s next for Florida football.
Key Departures and Transfer Portal Activity
Several notable players have jumped into the transfer portal, which signals a pretty major transition for the Gators. Among the biggest departures:
- DJ Lagway – Quarterback
- Eugene Wilson III – Wide Receiver
- Hayden Hansen – Tight End
- Jordan Castell – Safety
- Michai Boireau – Defensive Tackle
These guys played important roles, and their exits leave big holes on the roster. The transfer portal opened January 2 and stays open until January 16, so players have a short window to find new homes or maybe even reconsider.
New Additions to the Roster
To make up for the losses, Florida’s staff has been aggressive in the portal, landing a bunch of transfers. Some of the most intriguing additions include:
- Kanye Clark – Defensive Back from UCLA
- Luke Harpring – Tight End from Georgia Tech
- Eric Singleton Jr. – Wide Receiver from Auburn
- Emeka Ugorji – Offensive Tackle from Stanford
- London Montgomery – Running Back from East Carolina
- Harrison Moore – Offensive Lineman from Georgia Tech
- TJ Bullard – Linebacker from UCF
- Carter Milliron – Long Snapper from Louisiana
- Emmanuel Oyebadejo – Defensive End from Jacksonville State
- Elijah Owens – Safety from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Cam Dooley – Safety from Kentucky
- Micah Mays Jr. – Wide Receiver from Wake Forest
- Aaron Philo – Quarterback from Georgia Tech
- T.J. Shanahan Jr. – Offensive Lineman from Penn State
- Eagan Boyer – Offensive Tackle from Penn State
- Patrick Durkin – Kicker from Tulane
- Alec Clark – Punter from Tulane
- Evan Pryor – Running Back from Cincinnati
- DJ Coleman – Defensive Back from Baylor
- Lacota Dippre – Tight End from James Madison
- Bailey Stockton – Wide Receiver from Georgia Tech
- DK Kalu – Defensive Tackle from Baylor
- Adam Trick – Linebacker/Defensive End from Miami (Ohio)
- Malachi Coleman – Wide Receiver from Minnesota
- Pearce Spurlin – Tight End from Georgia
- Samu Taumanupepe – Defensive Lineman from Baylor
Returning Players
Even with so many leaving, a solid group has decided to stick around. That’s a huge relief for Sumrall, honestly. The returning crew includes:
- Jayden Woods – EDGE
- Alfonzo Allen – Defensive Back
- Jadan Baugh – Running Back
- Tramell Jones Jr. – Quarterback
- Dallas Wilson – Wide Receiver
- Vernell Brown III – Wide Receiver
- Myles Graham – Linebacker
- Cormani McClain – Defensive Back
- LJ McCray – EDGE
- Aaron Chiles – Linebacker
- Dijon Johnson – Defensive Back
- Kam James – EDGE
- Bryce Thornton – Safety
- Jaden Robinson – Linebacker
- Knijeah Harris – Offensive Lineman
- Roderick Kearney – Offensive Lineman
- TJ Abrams – Wide Receiver
- Joseph Mbatchou – Defensive Tackle
- Caden Jones – Offensive Tackle
- Brendan Bett – Defensive Tackle
Impact on the Team’s Strategy
Coach Sumrall faces a tall order: rebuild a team that just couldn’t get it going last year. The mix of new talent and returnees brings together both experience and youth, which could really shake up the playbook on both sides of the ball.
On offense, adding quarterback Aaron Philo and wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. might finally give the Gators’ passing game some real juice. It’s also good news that running back Jadan Baugh, who finished third in the SEC in rushing last year, is coming back.
Defense got a boost too, especially in the secondary, with safeties Kanye Clark and Cam Dooley joining the mix. Linebacker Myles Graham returns as the leading tackler, and he’ll have help from new faces like Emmanuel Oyebadejo up front.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 season feels like a turning point for Florida football. There’s a new head coach, and the roster’s got an injection of fresh talent.
The Gators might finally be set up for a real turnaround. They’ve leaned into the transfer portal, targeting gaps and building for the long run.
Since the transfer window stays open until January 16, more roster shake-ups could still happen. People are watching—fans, analysts, maybe even rivals—wondering how these changes will play out on the field.
If you want the nitty-gritty on Florida Gators’ transfer portal action and roster moves, check out the Gainesville Sun.
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