Florida football's biggest gains, losses from 2026 transfer portal cycle
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With the transfer portal window officially closed on Jan. 16, Florida football has transformed its roster under first-year coach Jon Sumrall.
The Florida Gators have either signed or secured commitments from more than 20 new transfers, while losing close to 30 scholarship players and walk-ons from their 2025 roster.
Sumrall and his staff are still hosting players who entered the portal and remain unsigned. Florida can sign transfers who haven't found a home up until National Signing Day on Feb. 5.
But at this point, UF's roster is close to complete. A collaborative effort led by Sumrall, his staff and new Florida general manager Dave Caldwell had focused on players that can bring physical and mental toughness to a program coming off a 4-8 season. Overall, Florida has posted four losing seasons in the last five years, going 29-34 during that span.
Here's a look at the biggest gains and losses for UF from the transfer portal period:
Five biggest Florida football transfer portal gains
Auburn WR Eric Singleton
Singleton will provide a proven third option starter at receiver with returning rising sophomores Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson. At 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Singleton brings explosive playmaking ability downfield and a familiarity with new UF offensive coordinator Buster Faulker from having played under Faulkner at Georgia Tech from 2023-24. Faulkner was creative in using Singleton on jet sweeps in the run game as well, as Singleton had 21 carries for 132 yards and 1 TD for the Yellow Jackets in 2024.
Last season, Singleton finished with 58 catches for 534 yards and 3 TDs at Auburn. In three seasons at Auburn and Georgia Tech, Singleton has posted 160 catches for 2,002 yards and 12 TDs.
Georgia Tech QB Aaron Philo
Philo will compete with returning sophomore Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting quarterback job at Florida. At 6-2 and 220 pounds, Philo brings toughness and dual threat ability to the position. He's passed for 938 career yards with 2 TDs to 3 interceptions at Haynes King's backup at Georgia Tech, while rushing for 95 career yards on 5.9 yards per carry with 1 TD.
At Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Ga., Philo passed for 13,922 yards during his high school career, breaking Trevor Lawrence's Georgia prep record.
Kentucky S Cam Dooley
A hard-hitting safety, the 6-2, 208 pound Dooley projects to take on an immediate role in UF's secondary in 2026. Dooley appeared in 12 games with three starts for the Wildcats in 2025, recording 20 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.
With a Pro Football Focus Grade of 69.7 on defense and 71.4 in coverage, Dooley brings familiarity with the scheme of former Kentucky and current UF defensive coordinator Brad White.
Cincinnati RB Evan Pryor
Even with Florida standout running back Jadan Baugh returning, Pryor has the chance to carve out a role as a change-of-pace back who can help share the load.
At 5-11, 195-pounds Pryor brings home-run speed to the running back room. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, which included TD runs of 55 yards against Arizona State, 68 yards against Towson and 69 yards against Miami of Ohio.
Stanford OL Emeka Ugorji
Florida is high on the potential of the 6-5, 340 pound Ugorji, who appeared in 10 games and made eight starts as a freshman at Stanford in 2025.
Ugorji started at guard at Stanford but could wind out sliding out to right tackle at Florida to replace Caden Jones, who will likely move to left tackle to replace Austin Barber next season.
Five biggest Florida football transfer portal losses
Florida football QB DJ Lagway
Lagway went 10-9 in two seasons as a starting quarterback at Florida, passing for 4,189 yards with 28 TDs to 23 interceptions. He regressed between his freshman and sophomore seasons due to a myriad of offseason injuries, but Florida is still facing questions in replacing an experienced quarterback who showed flashes of potential with his arm talent. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Lagway is expected to sign with Baylor in an attempt to resurrect his career.
Florida football WR Eugene Wilson III
Durability was an issue for Wilson over the last two seasons, but the 5-10, 194-pound Wilson demonstrated speed and playmaking ability when healthy. In three seasons at Florida, Wilson caught 107 passes for 1,150 yards and 10 TDs but appeared in just nine games over the last two seasons. Wilson will try to resurrect his career at LSU under Lane Kiffin.
Florida football DT Michai Boireau
The 6-foot-5, 349-pound Boireau would have been a nice fit at nose tackle in new defensive coordinator Brad White's scheme. But Boireau couldn't come to an agreement with Florida and opted to enter the transfer portal and landed at Ole Miss. Boireau recorded 20 tackles and 2 sacks for UF in 2025 and came up with a game-winning interception in UF's 23-21 win over Mississippi State at The Swamp on Oct. 18.
Florida football DB Sharif Denson
A former Under Armour All-American, the 5-11, 195-pound Denson started 17 games over the last two seasons in UF's secondary at the star position. Overall, Denson posted 95 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in three seasons at UF. Like Boireau, Denson entered the portal and signed with Ole Miss.
Florida football S Jordan Castell
A three-year starter at safety, the 6-foot-2, 213-pound Castell was solid in pass coverage with three career interceptions and 12 career pass breakups. But tackling and physicality was sometimes an issue for Castell when opposing running backs and quarterbacks broke free on runs into the second or third level. Castell entered the transfer portal and will remain in the SEC, signing with Kentucky.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football and Jon Sumrall's wins, losses in transfer portal cycle
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