GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With eight scholarships available for 2023 and several vacancies dotting the depth chart, Florida football staff are navigating the bulk transfer portal.
This weekend is critical as it concludes a five-day period in which the NCAA allows transfers to make official visits. The alligators are courting experienced players to augment a young roster, and those they land now will have the added benefit of signing up for spring training.
Let’s check the temperature on potential transfers:
Currently on board
First, a refresher on transfers that have committed to Florida or signed grants since the portal window opened Dec. 5. A point of order regarding every transfer across the country: signing a GIA does not make players beholden to their new school. None of these players are bound until they sign up, expanding the possibility of last-second changes based on practice moves or name, image, and likeness deals.
Wisconsin Quarterback Graham Mertz: Athleticism first reported on December 21 that the three-year-old The Badgers starter is bound for Gainesville. If you bought shares from Mertz as a top 70 signer in 2019 and sold them when he entered the portal, you have suffered a heavy loss. Still, the Florida staff sees benefits in a quarterback who has started 32 games in a Big Ten program, even though Mertz has only won 19.
The player who had our Lady, ohio state, Alabama and Georgia the out-of-school chaser in Mission, Kansas, received a strong endorsement from fired Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst. And there is precedent for players capitalizing on the second acts to reset their careers. Tulaneit is Michael Pratt and Coastal Carolinait is Grayson McCall would have excited Gators fans a lot more, but the two are staying put. Oklahoma Stateit is spencer sanderwho deserved a look from Florida last month, was recently linked to Ole Miss and Auburn. That leaves Mertz, a pocket setter managing the game with two years of eligibility remaining, to compete with second Jack Miller and Jaden Rashada, first four-star registrant for the position in 2023.
Ohio State linebacker Teradja Mitchell: Like Mertz, Mitchell was an A-list signee — ranked No. 44 in the 2018 class — who failed to match the projections. Mitchell started 2021 as the Buckeyes’ starting inside linebacker, but lost his spot after eight games on a defense that ultimately saw coordinator Kerry Coombs ejected. Under new coordinator Jim Knowles this season, Mitchell played just one defensive snap and wore a red shirt after being on special teams in four games.
The situation is so bad at the Gators inside linebacker that any help seems beneficial, especially after the seniors leave. Ventell Miller and Amari Burney combined for over 1,200 defensive snaps this season, Shemar James is the only vestige of good faith in this group, with Derek Wingo and Scooby Williams yet to stand out.
Louisville defensive lineman Caleb Banks: Despite only playing 37 defensive snaps this season, Banks has attracted interest from Power 5 from programs intrigued by his upside. He signed from Louisville in 2021 as a draft at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, and now he’s listed at 6-7 and 300. Appearing in seven games in his first two college seasons, there’s still plenty of development left. to do. With three years of eligibility remaining, Gators staff have time to make the banks productive.
Memphis defensive lineman Cam’Ron Jackson: With Desmond Watson and Chris McClellan back, the rotation of the inside defensive line is thin. The 6-6, 340 pound Jackson – a long time USL engaging before having to redirect to Memphis — is more advanced than Banks. He arrives in Florida with three years to play two and could start next fall as the Gators step into talent new signatories Kelby Collins, Will Norman and Kamran James.
Teradja Mitchell played a defensive snap this season at Ohio State and wore a red shirt after being on special teams in four games. (Brian Spurlock / USA Today)
Targets
Miami tackle John Campbell: He made 11 starts for a Hurricanes offensive line that struggled in Mario Cristobal’s first season, but experienced tackles are so rare in the Portal – and new signings usually aren’t willing to contribute – that players like Campbell have value.
USC, Tennessee and state of florida joined Florida on Campbell’s shortlist. These three competing schools subsequently received tackle commitments: the trojans socket Michael Tarquin of Florida, the Flights pulling Andrej Karic of Texas and the Seminoles land an elite prospect, Jeremiah Byers of UTEP. Clearly, the Gators have the greatest need.
Before missing 2021 with a torn ACL, Campbell made three starts in 2020. He would have two years left of eligibility assuming a medical waiver for the season lost to a knee injury.
With Richard Gouraige graduate and Tarquin on the West Coast, Florida’s tackle depth is slim. Apart austin barberwhich delivered a promising redshirt freshman season with five starts, the spring lineup could involve sophomores Kamryn Waites and Jordan Hermann. Even that is tenuous after the huge 6-8 Waites moved inside to guard midway through last season.
Baylor keep Micah Mazzcua: O’Cyrus Torrence is NFL– bound after a stellar year-long layover in Florida, and Ethan White is in the Portal, which leaves Richie Leonard as the only Gators guard with measurable experience. Although the door would not be closed on White’s return, Mazzccua’s landing would solidify the inside line. The 10-game starter at Baylor last season is in the midst of a busy week, also visiting Nebraska and Auburn.
Baylor Security Al Walcott: A two-year starter at Baylor, Walcott has become a reliable tackler this season. You might also remember his 96-yard pick the year before against Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
If there’s a downside to Walcott, it’s that he only has one year of graduate transfer eligibility. Then again, this year alone might be the only bridge needed until safety signees Dijon Johnson, Jordan Castell and Aaron Gates acclimatize.
Caroline from the south edge Gilbert Edmond: Three years ago, it was a February signing day from USF to the Gamecocks, where Mike Peterson was coaching outside linebackers. Peterson is now in Florida and Edmond, a native of Fort Pierce, has the option of returning home.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior visited FSU this week – “It’s amazing what they did last season,” he said. LSU and Ole Miss would also be involved after Edmond became a starter this season with nine tackles for loss, two sacks and 39 total saves.
He has two years of eligibility left, like Florida’s top rusher, Antwaun Powell-Ryland. He’s not a dealbreaker as every top program courting Edmond is likely to use him in a platoon.
Michigan linebacker Deuce Spurlock: He’s from Madison, Alabama, the same Huntsville suburb as the Gators cornerback Jaydon Hill. In Spurlock’s seven months at Michigan, he appeared in two early-season games. A weak three-star rookie in the 2022 class, he’s a plus athlete who quickly added 20 pounds as a rookie and has inside-outside flexibility at linebacker.
Long plans and potential interest
Edge of South Carolina Jordan Burch: Peterson was instrumental in signing this five-star rookie, No. 8 in 2020. Competition will be tough for Burch this time around, even though he only started showing his elite potential last season .
LSU linebacker DeMario Tolan: The Orlando-Dr. The Phillips graduate was a four-star recruit last year who has played in 10 games this season at LSU. The Gators didn’t really play a role in recruiting this athletic linebacker from high school, and he was quick to visit Auburn after entering the portal this week.
Towson tackles Dan Volpe: After earning FCS Freshman All-America honors, the 6-6, 305-pound Volpe referenced offers from duke and Kansas. There’s a ton of trail left in the college career of a player who made 12 starts his freshman year.
Kentucky start working on Kiyaunta Goodwin: The No. 38 rookie in 2022 received a redshirt as a rookie.
Linebacker Ole Miss Austin Keys: He’s factored in the Rebels’ inside linebacker rotation in each of the past two seasons and has two years of eligibility left. A three-star rookie in 2020, Keys was heavily recruited by Napier’s Louisiana staff.
Freedom to come back Hunter Dae Dae: He rushed for 854 yards this season – 213 against BYU — but tore his LCL in Week 9 and missed Liberty’s last four games. There might be questions about his preparation for preseason camp, but the 5-10 Hunter showed his passing skills at Liberty and his first two seasons in Hawaii. With Florida looking deep behind Montrell Johnson and Trevor EtienneCould Hunter adopt a backup role?
Committed elsewhere
Transfers related to Florida who has committed to other programs:
(Graham Mertz top photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)