As the transfer portal is set to open Jan. 2, the future of Florida's roster is unclear. Under new head coach Jon Sumrall, a number of Gators are expected to leave the program, while others are likely to join in the near future.
Stay tuned for updates leading up to and through the 15-day portal window from Jan. 2-Jan. 16.
Dec. 15:
A seemingly normal Monday in mid-December marked a massive shift in the direction of Florida football going forward. On Dec. 15, six members of the UF roster announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal.
Quarterback DJ Lagway:
The biggest Gator name to enter the portal, sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway announced his decision to transfer away from the program on his Instagram moments after ESPN's Pete Thamel broke the impending news.
In his statement, Lagway thanked his teammates, coaches and the UF fans before announcing his future steps.
"After much prayer, reflection, and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal," he wrote.
A former five-star recruit, Lagway’s time in Gainesville has been filled with ups and downs.
He emerged as Florida’s starter midway through the 2024 season after an injury to former Gators quarterback Graham Mertz. From there, Lagway put together an electric freshman season, throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns while winning every game he started and finished.
However, Lagway’s performance significantly regressed in 2025. After an offseason filled with setbacks, including a shoulder injury, surgery for a sports hernia injury and a calf strain, Lagway struggled throughout his sophomore season, throwing for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, the second most picks thrown in the country.
Later in the day Dec. 15, reports circled that Lagway's initial meetings with Sumrall "did not go well", according to CBS Sports' Chris Hummer.
Lagway currently is listed as the No. 4 quarterback and overall player in the transfer portal, per On3's rankings. He has been linked to programs such as Louisiana State, Miami and Baylor, according to CBS's Cody Nagel.
Running back KD Daniels:
Nearly an hour after Lagway entered his name into the portal, redshirt freshman running back KD Daniels followed suit, as announced by Rivals' Hayes Fawcett.
After recording 11 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown during his freshman season in 2024, the former four-star recruit took a slightly bigger role in the Florida offensive in 2025.
The 6-foot-tall runner took 28 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 17 yards. His yard mark ranked third on the team, behind Lagway (136) and Jadan Baugh (1,170).
With Daniels now out of the picture, Florida's attempt at retaining Baugh's services likely becomes even more of a priority. Daniels, meanwhile, ranks as the No. 94 overall player in the portal at the time of writing, per On3.
Tight end Amir Jackson:
Another offensive complimentary piece for Florida, redshirt freshman tight end Amir Jackson entered the transfer portal nearly an hour after Daniels, per Fawcett.
The 6-foot-5, 235 pound tight end was a highly-touted recruit, but posted limited production during his tenure in Gainesville.
Jackson made three catches in 2025, racking up 29 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive back Jordan Castell:
One of Florida's more experienced defensive players, junior defensive back Jordan Castell entered the transfer portal moments after Jackson, per Fawcett.
Castell burst onto the scene in 2023 as a freshman, totaling 59 tackles, deflecting three passes and grabbing an interception. He earned a spot on the Freshman All-America Team that season for his efforts.
He was again solid in 2024, making another 55 tackles and deflecting nine more passes. He also added a sack.
However, Castell's play heavily regressed in 2025. While he still filled the stat-sheet with 54 total tackles and two interceptions, his Pro Football Focus grade nosedived to a 57.6. In coverage, he allowed 19 catches on 23 targets against, a 82.6% completion rate when targeted.
Castell's best ability, however, was his availability. In a banged-up UF secondary, Castell made 34 consecutive starts for the Gators.
Wide receiver Mike Peterson Jr.:
The son of outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson, freshman walk-on Mike Peterson Jr. is set to enter the transfer portal, per Pete Nakos.
A Gainesville native, Mike Jr. did not make any appearances for the Gators in 2025.
Defensive back Josiah Davis:
Redshirt freshman defensive back Josiah Davis entered his name into the portal Monday evening, per Fawcett.
Davis appeared mostly as a special teamer for the Gators, recording one tackle during his UF tenure.
Dec. 10:
The second player to leave UF in the transfer portal is the first to come on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive lineman Tarvorise Brown:
A junior college standout turned 2024 walk-on, 6-foot-7 defensive lineman Tarvorise Brown is set to enter the portal, per Nakos.
A reserve defensive lineman, Brown made six appearances for UF over the past two seasons, recording five total tackles.
Dec. 8:
Florida has its first departure of the 2026 transfer portal cycle.
Wide receiver Muizz Tounkara:
True freshman wide receiver Muizz Tounkara will enter the transfer portal, per Nakos.
Tounkara made eight appearances as a reserve player for the Gators in 2025, making two catches for 12 total yards.
He is a former three-star recruit.
This is a developing story.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is in his sixth semester at The Alligator and now serves as The Alligator's Football Reporter and is a junior sports journalism student. He previously served as The Alligator's Sports Editor, and served as reporter for women's tennis, volleyball and lacrosse. He also has made multiple appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. He wants to shoutout his cats, Scooter and Zoe, and niche former Florida Panthers players (shoutout Tomas Kopecky).
