As the transfer portal has opened on Jan. 2, the future of Florida's roster is unclear. Under new head coach Jon Sumrall, a number of Gators have entered their names into the portal, while others have chosen to remain with the program.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the 15-day portal window Jan. 2-Jan. 16.
ADDITIONS:
While Florida has not officially landed anyone in the transfer portal yet, the Gators are bringing in multiple players for visits over the incoming days.
The highest-profile visit scheduled thus far likely belongs to Iowa State cornerback Jontez Williams, the No. 1 ranked cornerback in the portal, per On3's Rankings. Williams racked up 10 pass deflections and 5 interceptions in three years as a Cyclone, and decided to forgo the NFL Draft to enter the portal. Notre Dame and Penn State both have interest in Williams, as well.
Two of these visits are for tight ends. Most notably, New Mexico's Dorian Thomas will visit the Gators, as well as Wisconsin, UCLA and California. Thomas was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2025 after recording 56 catches for 560 yards and four touchdowns. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
James Madison tight end Lacota Dippre will also visit the Gators. A defensive lineman turned offensive weapon, he made 17 grabs for 192 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.
Baylor safety DJ Coleman will also visit the Gators. Coleman was excellent this past season for the Bears, making 47 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 6 pass break-ups and a forced fumble. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Meanwhile, his teammate, defensive lineman DK Kalu is also among the visitors. He had 11 tackles and half a tackle for loss in nine games at Baylor this past season.
Also on the defensive line, Jacksonville State's Emmanuel Oyebadejo will visit Florida. Standing 6-foot-7, the English-born lineman recorded 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 5 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles in 2025.
On the offensive trenches, Penn State's Eagan Boyer will visit UF on Jan. 3. As a redshirt freshman in 2025, the 6-foot-8 lineman made eight appearances for the Nittany Lions. If he chooses Florida, he would reunite with his former offensive line coach, Phil Trautwein.
Another former Nittany Lion offensive lineman, TJ Shanahan Jr., is also set to visit Florida Jan. 3. He played 419 snaps in 2025, making five starts. Previously, Shanahan made 12 appearances in two years at Texas A&M. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Oklahoma State defensive back Eric Fletcher also plans to visit Gainesville, as well as Arkansas and Wisconsin. In 2025, Fletcher had 11 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 3 pass break ups.
And while no official visit has been scheduled, Georgia Tech QB Aaron Philo has received multiple crystal ball predictions to rejoin his former offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner, in Gainesville.
RETENTIONS:
Florida has retained a number of key players, all of whom will likely see major playing time and will have impacts on the 2026 team.
Offensively, freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. returns as a primary option under center. He will likely compete for the starting role against a transfer portal addition.
Jones' weapons will include the talented freshman wide receiver duo of Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson, both of whom turned down the portal to remain in the Orange and Blue. Furthermore, tight end Amir Jackson, who originally planned to enter the portal, has opted to instead remain with the Gators.
In the offensive trenches, the returns of Caden Jones, Fletcher Westphal and Knijeah Harris help bolster what could be a deep lineman group.
On the front seven, LJ McCray, Jaramiah McCloud, and Kamran James will lead the defensive line, while Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles and Jaden Robinson all return to man the linebacker positions.
Meanwhile, Cormani McClain, Bryce Thornton, Lagonza Hayward and Drake Stubbs all will return to UF's secondary.
DEPARTURES:
Jan. 2:
A fourth Florida running back has hit the transfer portal, as well as two more walk-ons.
Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson:
After applying for another year of eligibility and it being granted, UF running back Ja'Kobi Jackson has chosen to enter the portal, per Pete Nakos.
Jackson had a three year stint with the Gators, recording 122 carries for 607 yards and 7 touchdowns over the past two seasons. However, he missed the final eight games of the 2025 season due to injury.
Jackson also showcased pass-catching skill in his UF stint, making 11 grabs for 103 yards.
Tight end Scott Isacks:
Former walk-on tight end Scott Isaacks will depart the program after four years at Florida. He made occasional appearances in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Wide receiver Jackson Wade:
A former walk-on from Dallas, Georgia, wide receiver Jackson Wade will transfer after three seasons at UF. Primarily a special teamer, Wade made two catches for 20 yards in his Gators career.
Dec. 31:
A third Gator running back will enter the portal, as well as a kicker.
Running back Treyaun Webb:
Redshirt sophomore running back Treyaun Webb plans to enter the portal, per Hayes Fawcett.
A former four-star recruit from Jacksonville, Webb served as a depth running back in 2023 and 2024. He did not make any appearances in 2025.
Overall, Webb finishes his UF career with 47 carries for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Kicker Evan Noel:
Freshman kicker Evan Noel plans to enter the portal. He was the No. 1 overall kicker in the 2025 Class, per On3.
Dec. 30:
A talented member of Florida's secondary will be departing the program, as well as a depth tight end.
Defensive back Aaron Gates:
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Aaron Gates plans to enter the transfer portal, per Hayes Fawcett.
Gates shined in 2024, making 27 tackles while deflecting three passes and securing an interception. However, injuries kept Gates off the field for the majority of 2025, as he suffered a season-ending injury in UF's loss against Miami.
Gates was a four-star recruit in the 2023 Class, per the On3 Consensus rankings.
Tight end Cameron Kossman:
Freshman tight end Cameron Kossman will enter the transfer portal after one season at UF.
A three-star recruit who walked on at Florida, Kossman played one snap in 2025 in Florida's season opener against Long Island.
He has four years of eligibility remaining.
Dec. 29:
Florida is set to suffer another key loss, Jayden Woods.
Standout freshman edge rusher Jayden Woods will enter the portal, as first reported by Rivals' Hayes Fawcett.
Woods totaled 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and an interception en route to Freshman All-SEC honors in 2025.
Overall, Woods earned a 72.0 Pro Football Focus grade, including a 73.3 pass rushing grade. He recorded 17 overall pressures, per PFF.
The Shawnee, Kansas, native was a consensus four-star recruit in the 2024 Class, per 247Sports.
Dec. 26:
A key member of Florida's secondary and a former promising recruit are entering the transfer portal.
Defensive back Sharif Denson:
Junior defensive back Sharif Denson will enter the transfer portal, as announced on Dec. 26.
The Jacksonville native made 11 starts for the Gators in 2025, totaling 52 tackles.
His most productive season at UF was in 2024, where he racked up 36 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
Running back Chad Gasper Jr.:
True freshman running back Chad Gasper Jr. will enter the transfer portal.
The former three-star recruit made zero game appearances for UF in 2025.
He has four years of eligibility remaining.
Dec. 24:
A major piece of Florida's offenses over the past couple of seasons will depart from the program.
Wide receiver Eugene Wilson III:
Florida redshirt sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III will enter the transfer portal, per a statement on his Instagram account.
Originally ranked a four-star recruit in the 2023 Class by the Rivals Industry Rankings, the Tampa native burst on to the scene as a freshman. He played in 10 games and started seven of them. He finished with team-best six touchdown catches, and he also finished second on the team with 61 catches and 538 receiving yards.
In 2024, Wilson medically redshirted after only appearing in four games. At first, it was a knee injury that kept him out of action early in the year, but a more serious hip issue would knock him out of the remainder of the season and forced him to get surgery. He finished the 2024 season with 19 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown.
Then, in 2025, Wilson became more of a complimentary piece in a crowded Florida receivers room. After starting in five of the eight games he played in, Wilson's season was cut short after he suffered a high ankle sprain against Georgia Nov. 1. He finished 2025 with 27 catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns.
Dec. 23:
Offensive lineman Neal Portnjagin:
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Neal Portnjagin is expected to enter the transfer portal.
A three-star recruit from Karlsruhe, Germany, Portnjagin only made one game appearance during his two year UF stint.
He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Dec. 22:
Wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery:
True freshman wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery plans to enter the portal, per Rivals' Hayes Fawcett.
A former four-star recruit, Montgomery made three catches for 26 yards in 2025.
He has four years of eligibility remaining.
Dec. 21:
Florida's offensive line depth has been tested in the recent days of the portal, and that trend continues.
Offensive lineman Devon Manuel:
Senior offensive lineman Devon Manuel announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on his X account on the evening of Dec. 21.
Manuel only made one game appearance in 2025 and made three appearances in 2024.
He transferred to UF from Arkansas in 2023. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Dec. 19:
One more Gator has entered his name into the transfer portal.
Offensive lineman Enoch Wangoy:
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Enoch Wangoy will enter the transfer portal, per Swamp247's Tyler Harden.
Originally from Manchester, England, Wangoy was a three-star recruit in the 2024 Class. He made zero appearances in two seasons at UF.
Dec. 18:
Two more UF starters have hit the portal.
Defensive lineman Michai Boireau:
Sophomore defensive lineman Michai Boireau will enter the portal, per Swamp247's Graham Hall.
Boireau has been a consistent force on UF's defensive line during his two seasons in Gainesville. In 2025, he made 20 total tackles and racked up two sacks. He also made a game-sealing interception when UF defeated Mississippi State Oct. 18.
The Atlanta native marks one of the biggest portal entries from UF's roster.
Tight end Hayden Hansen:
Redshirt junior tight end Hayden Hansen has decided to enter his name into the transfer portal, according to a statement on his X account.
One of UF's more experienced players, Hansen has played in all 37 games over the past three seasons. In those contests, he has made 57 catches for 611 yards and five touchdowns.
The 6-foot-8 tight end earned a 50.7 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025. His best career grade is a 59.4 mark in 2024.
Dec. 17:
Florida's transfer portal departures have officially hit the double digits.
Defensive back Jamroc Grimsley:
Redshirt freshman defensive back Jamroc Grimsley is set to enter the transfer portal, per Fawcett.
A former Alabama commit, Grimsley made only five appearances for UF.
Against Mississippi State Oct. 18, he started, making a tackle and deflecting a pass.
Linebacker Grayson Howard:
Junior linebacker Grayson Howard will enter the transfer portal, according to a statement he posted on his X account.
After posting 18 tackles in his freshman season at South Carolina, Howard transferred to UF in January 2024.
He burst onto the scene for the Gators in 2024, racking up 37 total tackles, a pass deflection, a sack and a forced fumble.
However, he only played 36 snaps in 2025 after dealing with an undisclosed injury throughout the offseason. Over his three games played, he made four tackles.
Wide receiver Tank Hawkins:
To no surprise, redshirt freshman wide receiver Tank Hawkins plans to enter the transfer portal, per On3's Pete Nakos.
Hawkins opted out of the remainder of the 2025 season Nov. 8, preserving his redshirt.
“Tank came up, very professional,” then-interim head coach Billy Gonzales said. “He came out and asked if he could preserve his redshirt. Absolutely. I said I 100 percent honor it."
In his UF career, Hawkins made 12 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also had three carries for 11 yards.
Offensive lineman Marcus Mascoll:
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Marcus Mascoll will enter the portal, per Nakos.
A former four-star recruit, Mascoll never appeared in a game over his two years in Gainesville.
Dec. 16:
One day after six members of the Florida roster entered the portal, two more Gators followed suit.
Wide receiver Aidan Mizell:
A former consensus four-star recruit, redshirt sophomore Aidan Mizell is expected to enter the transfer portal, per Fawcett.
Mizell was a productive part of the Florida offense, but he struggled to stay healthy during his three-year UF tenure. After redshirting in 2023, Mizell appeared in only seven games in both 2024 and 2025.
Over those two seasons, Mizell made 36 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns.
Mizell's departure adds more pressure for Sumrall and his staff to retain UF's talented receiver core, which includes true freshmen Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
Defensive back Teddy Foster:
A redshirt freshman defensive back out of Sarasota, Florida, Teddy Foster entered his name into the transfer portal Tuesday, per Fawcett.
Foster appeared sparingly for the Gators over the past two seasons. He recorded six total tackles during his UF tenure.
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 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 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.
BREAKING: AS OF DEC. 27, JACKSON WILL NO LONGER BE ENTERING THE PORTAL AND WILL RETURN TO FLORIDA IN 2026, PER FAWCETT.
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 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).
