For Florida football’s new-look coaching staff, retaining the ‘fab five’ was the key to building a strong foundation built on leadership and talent ahead of the 2026 season. Of the five players the Gators made a priority, freshman edge Jayden Woods was the only who officially entered the transfer portal.
But even with massive question marks surrounding the freshman’s future, he resigned with Florida Jan. 7, completing UF’s retention of its ‘fab five’. Though Texas was a school that targeted him in the portal, a visit from Jon Sumrall and Florida coaches to Woods’ family in Kansas on Jan. 6 made all the difference in showing how genuine UF’s investment in him truly was.
But the visit wasn’t all about football. When Sumrall and co. visited the Woods’ abode, they barely talked about football, and it was ultimately the coaches’ family-centered approach and authenticity that sealed the deal.
“Just knowing that it was genuine and it was relationship-driven, that was the biggest piece for me,” Woods said. “They really got to know my family. Coach Sumrall said my grandpa's still sending him pictures of meals that he's cooked, so I know the relationship is good.”
Woods also said having his family for guidance during the portal period helped him make the right decision, especially at a time when his phone was constantly blowing up. In fact, Woods even took a couple of days off social media and would often leave his phone downstairs to escape the constant rings and chimes from interested collegiate coaches’ calls and texts. He was adamant about staying even-keeled, “laying everything out and making an educated decision” that was best for both him and his family.
The space given to Woods by his teammates and outside voices helped him avoid swaying back and forth or reacting off emotions, allowing him to come to terms with his possible options and make his own decision. However, there was one player who reached out and did his part to retain Woods.
Sophomore linebacker Myles Graham was the first of the ‘fab five’ to re-sign with the Gators and said he called each of the ‘fab five’ players in hopes of convincing them to return to Florida under Sumrall.
“[Sumrall] told me that when I signed he needs me to help recruit, and that’s what I did,” Graham said. “We needed to stay together to do something special, and I needed all those guys to come back and play with me.”
While Graham added further reassurance, Woods was focused on making a wholehearted decision that took into account the futures of him and his family. As he weighed his options, Woods was appreciative of Graham’s efforts, especially because he didn’t push the young edge too far in trying to sway him. Graham was simply supportive, offering Woods encouragement without overstepping.
“Everybody was giving me my space, I feel like I tried to be as genuine as possible,” Woods said. “It wasn't like a money decision, it wasn't anything like that, like it was truly making sure that it's the best decision for me and my family. So, Myles, he saw that, he respected it, I could tell he was holding back a little bit, but he was good through that whole process.”
Since he’s returned to Gainesville, Woods has stepped up as a vocal leader and shown flashes of elite speed. During The Gauntlet, UF began matching him up with players like Vernell Brown III and other receivers in order to challenge his ability to keep up with Gainesville’s quickest.
UF director of football performance Rusty Whitt called Woods “a rare player” because of his ability to match up against powerful backs, massive linemen and shifty receivers alike. Despite having re-signed less than two months ago, Woods’ speed and defensive versatility have already been on full display in conditioning and practice.
“His game is going to be speed,” Whitt said. “Good luck finding an edge rusher anywhere in the country who’s going to run against VB [Vernell Brown III]. He’s beating our running backs, so we go ‘Hey, we’ve got to get him against a wide receiver.”
Along with physical improvements, Woods has set goals for himself as a competitor and leader both on and off the field. Entering his second season as a Gator, Woods said the first day of spring practice on Wednesday was a lot less overwhelming than last season because he’s become acclimated to the program and was able to take a calmer approach.
As the spring progresses, Woods hopes to become more vocal and motivate others to lead as well. He was insistent that you need to “be all in” and is prepared to set an example for the Gators entering the 2026 season.
"I'd say first is just buying in. That's the first thing for me, it's just be all in. Don't be half in, half out. And then, the biggest thing for me was trying to be more of a leader and set the example. So that was the big thing for me, be more vocal and get other guys to come along.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a junior sports journalism student in his fourth semester at The Alligator. He is currently the sports desk's football and enterprise beat writer, and previously served as a reporter for men's tennis, sports enterprise and football. He is currently pursuing a public relations minor and is an avid Duval sports fan. (#DTWD)
