Enter Charlotte quarterback Deshawn Purdie, who accounted for 11 touchdowns as a true freshman for the 49ers. Purdie committed after spending multiple days in Gainesville for an official visit after, according to On3.com.
On3.com also reported UMass redshirt sophomore edge rusher Kofi Asare committed to UF.
This capped a busy stretch including UCLA transfer wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant's commitment on the eve of the Gators' 33-8 win against Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl Dec. 20 in Tampa.
Coach Billy Napier, a former receiver coach, aims to continue his impressive track record in the portal.
The Gators hope the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Sturdivant aims to follow the lead of Ricky Pearsall, Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike, a trio of impact pass-catchers from the transfer portal. Sturdivant recorded 123 catches for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022-24, including the past two seasons at UCLA.
But those with a secure future at UF also could seek a better one.
Case in point: edge rusher Jack Pyburn, who announced Dec. 16 on his Instagram account he is heading to LSU.
The Gators' high-motor and tone-setting defender is leaving the Gators after a breakout season, featuring 60 tackles, including 5 for loss (2 sacks) and an interception. His strip sack against Florida State set up Florida's first touchdown during a 31-11 win Nov. 30 in Tallahassee.
The Jacksonville native returned better than ever from a torn ACL on Nov. 5, 2023 against Arkansas.
"I just view everything in my journey as a blessing," he said earlier in the season. "If you have the right mentality about things in life, you're always going to move in a positive direction."
A day after Pyburn announced he'd join a Gators' rival, promising sophomore edge rusher T.J. Searcy announced he'd entered the transfer portal.
Players seeking a new start or better situation announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal hours after the Gators' 31-11 win night at Florida State.
Meanwhile, the Gators signed Michigan transfer punter Tommy Doman Jr. to replace veteran Jeremy Crawshaw, a four-year starter among the nation's best.
Resumé: Sturdivant was a 4-star prospect out of Flower Mound, Texas, rated by 247Sports the nation's No. 27 wide receiver prospect and No. 187 overall player in the 2021 class.
Role: Sturdivant recorded 123 catches for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns during his career, including 65 for 755 yards and 7 scores at Cal in 2022. Injuries limited him to seven games in 2024.
Outlook: The Gators need an experienced wideout with the departure of Badger, who transferred from Arizona State, and Dike (Wisconsin) after one season. The duo combined for 73 catches for 1,476 yards, an average of 20.2, and 6 scores. Tre Wilson will return after injuries limited him to four games in what was expected to be a breakout season. Redshirt junior Kahleil Jackson missed the season with a knee injury. Fellow sophomore Aidan Mizell (13 catches, 152 yards, 2 TDs) and true freshman Tank Hawkins (10, 100, 1) push to factor more consistently in 2025. The Gators also completed a major coup with their 2025 class when Tampa Bay Tech 5-star prospect Dallas Wilson backed out of his commitment to Oregon and signed with the Gators Dec. 22. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Wilson, who is rated the nation's No. 4 prospect at his position by 247Sports composite rankings, will join a class featuring Orlando Jones' standout Vernell Brown III, rated No. 8 receiver in the class.
Resumé: Purdie was a 3-star prospect out of Maryland's Milford Mill Academy rated the nation's No. 112 quarterback prospect by 247Sports, but No. 31 during the current transfer cycle.
Role: Purdie threw for 1,802 yards completing 50% of his throws (100 of 200) for 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, while also rushing for a score, in nine appearance. Charlotte fired Bill Poggi in November. Georgia and Mississippi State also were interested in Purdie, per On3.com.
Outlook: The Gators need an experienced backup for Lagway. When the true freshman phenom strained his hamstring Nov. 2 against Georgia, third-string walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner stepped in and acquitted himself well during a 34-20 loss to the No. 2 Bulldogs. A week later, No. 5 Texas routed Florida 49-17 and led 42-0. Clay Millen, a Colorado State transfer who did not play this past season, was the only scholarship quarterback on the 2024 roster. UF also signed 4-star quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. out of Jacksonville Mandarin.
Resumé: Asare was a 3-star prospect out of Doherty Memorial in Worcester, Mass., rated the nation's No. 109 edge rusher. As a transfer he received interest from Iowa State, Mississippi State and Missouri, according to On3.com.
Role: Asare recorded 30 tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during 11 games.
Outlook: UF edge rushers Jack Pyburn and TJ Searcy transferred. The Gators expect to return redshirt juniors Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs Jr., who are 1-2 in tackles for loss with 13 and 8. Sophomore Kamran James of Orlando, who has 25 tackles, 3 for loss, has steadily improved improved, while true freshman LJ McCray, the nation's top-rated defensive lineman in 2024, had 12 stops in 12 appearances.
Resumé: Doman was a 3-star prospect out of Rochester Hills, Mich., rated by 247Sports the nation's No. 2 prospect at his position in the 2021 class.
Role: Doman averaged 42.6 yards on 49 punts this past season, including 15 downed inside the 20 and 10 of 50 yards or longer. Crawshaw averaged 45.6 yards on 56 punts, with 25 inside the 20 and 19 of at least 50 yards.
Outlook: The Gators bring in an experience punter to join forces with true freshman Hayden Craig, a 3-star prospect from Quebec, Canada, who attended Bridgton Academy in Maine. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Craig rated the No. 5 player at his position per 247Sports composite rankings.
Resumé: Pyburn was a 3-star prospect out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville. 247Sports rated him the nation's No. 39 edge defender and No. 69 prospect in the state.
Role: Pyburn evolved into a rotational player for the 2023 Gators, recording 17 tackles, including one for loss, before he tore his ACL. Besides the injury, nothing hinted at his breakout 2024. His rise began during a 42-28 win Sept. 21 at Mississippi State. Pyburn recorded 6 tackles, including 1 for loss, and disrupted a fourth-down option play at the goal line that led to a fumble.
Outlook: The Gators appear likely to return veterans Sapp and George Gumbs Jr., along with promising James and McCray.
Resumé: Searcy was a 4-star prospect out Thomaston, Ga., rated the nation's No. 32 edge rusher, No. 24 prospect from Georgia and No. 246 overall player in the 2023 class.
Role: Searcy flashed during his freshman season, finishing with 26 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, as a rotational player in 12 games. But a breakout sophomore season never unfolded, though Searcy did end strongly with 10 tackles, 2 for loss and a forced fumble and recovery during UF's three-game winning streak to end the regular season. He finished 2024 with 34 tackles, including 4 for loss (2 sacks) and 2 forced fumbles. Searcy's length and ability to drop into coverage make him unique.
Outlook: The Gators' depth on the edge dwindles with the exits of Pyburn and Searcy. The return of Sapp and Gumbs is now imperative. The role of James and McCary already were expected to dramatically increase.
Resumé: Boone was a 4-star prospect out of Sumter, S.C., rated the nation's No. 28 defensive lineman and No. 201 overall recruit in the 2021 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings.
Role: In line for a starting role in 2023, Boone tore his ACL during a celebration at the Gators' first scrimmage in fall camp. When he returned a year later, Boone wore the No. 1 jersey and appeared poised to make an impact, yet rarely did. He finished 2024 with 10 tackles, including 2 for loss, in 12 appearances. He ends his UF career with 37 stops, 4.5 for loss (2.5 sacks).
Outlook: The exits of Pyburn and Boone create a similar dynamic on the edge of the defensive line.
Resumé: Jean was a 4-star prospect out of Miami rated the nation's No. 53 wide receiver and No. 301 overall prospect. He offered more size than 2023 classmates Tre Wilson and Aidan Mizell, while Jean also was considered a more refined route-runner.
Role: Leg injuries plagued Jean early and often. He appeared only against Mississippi State in 2024 after catching 6 passes for 97 yards during four appearances in 2023.
Outlook: The Gators will be in the transfer market for pass catchers, given the pending departures of Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike -- the team's two leading receivers after transferring from Arizona State and Wisconsin. Wilson missed eight games as a sophomore with injuries, culminating with season-ending hip surgery. Mizell (12 catches, 151 yards, 2 touchdowns) showed flashes, as did true freshman Tank Hawkins. Veteran Kahleil Jackson aims to return from season-ending knee surgery. The Gators' top commit is Orlando Jones standout Vernell Brown III, the nation's No. 6 receiver prospect.
Resumé: Jackson was a 4-star prospect and Under Armour All-American out of Kissimmee Osceola rated the nation's No. 4 cornerback and No. 49 overall prospect. He had 5 interceptions and 6 pass breakups as a senior in 2022.
Role: Jackson arrived with big expectations and a chance to learn from veterans Jason Marshall Jr., Devin Moore and Jalen Kimber. Jackson showed flashes during 11 appearances, finishing with 7 tackles and 3 pass breakup. But he also was beaten for some big plays, including a 55-yard touchdown by Tennessee's Bru McCoy. Jackson appeared for a Year 2 leap when he made his first career starter Aug. 31 against Miami, a 41-17 loss. In Week 2 against Samford, he recorded 3 tackles but also had a season-ending injury.
Outlook: The Gators are expected to return the talented Moore, who has struggled to stay healthy, and several young players with potential, including true freshmen Jameer Grimsley and Teddy Foster, redshirt freshman Cormani McClain and incoming freshman Ben Hanks Jr., the nation's No. 7 prospect at his position.
Resumé: Collins was a 4-star prospect out of Gardendale, Ala., rated the nation's No. 7 defensive lineman and No 53 overall prospect. He totaled 178 tackles, including 40.5 for loss, during his final two seasons in 2021-22.
Role: A season after earning a spot on the Coaches All-SEC Freshman Team after lined up at end, Collins moved inside but never found his groove. He totaled 6 tackles in six appearances after recording 23 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, 4 quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and forced fumble in 2023.
Outlook: The Gators will lose Cam Jackson and Demond Watson on the interior, and are bracing for redshirt junior Caleb Banks' NFL decision after his strong November play. Freshmen Michai Boireau and D'Antre Robinson each had his moments, while redshirt freshman Jamari Lyons will return from a season-ending knee injury sustained during fall camp.
Resumé: Ivory arrived in 2023 as a junior-college transfer out of East Los Angeles Community College rated the No. 3 edge rusher and No. 43 overall prospect. Ivory was a quarterback out of Legacy School of Sports Sciences in Spring, Texas, passing for 1,011 yards, 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 2018, per MaxPreps.
Role: Ivory had 1 tackle during 18 appearances at UF, none during 10 games in 2024.
Outlook: The Gators are expected to return James, McCray and sophomore T.J. Searcy and Gumbs as potential edge rushers.
Resumé: Williams was a 3-star prospect out Charles Herbert Flowers High in Upper Marlboro, Md., ranked the No. 39 ranked offensive tackle in 2024.
Role: Williams did not appear in a game as a true freshman.
Outlook: Williams clearly did not fit into the Gators' plan at offensive tackle, where options include redshirt junior starter Austin Barber, redshirt junior Devin Manuel and true freshman Fletcher Westphal.
Resumé: Boardingham was a 4-star prospect from Van Nuys, Calif., rated the nation's No. 23 "athlete" by 247Sports after he was a two-way star, recording 43 receptions for 836 yards, 23 total touchdowns and 67 tackles as a senior in 2021.
Role: Boardingham's speed and skill set appeared to make him an asset in Napier's passing attack, but he was not a consistent blocker. After he caught 26 passes for 289 yards and 4 scores in 2023, Boardingham managed 18 catches for just 128 yards and 2 scores this season, including a 13-yard catch from Graham Mertz on the quarterback's final play as a collegian. Boardingham started twice each of the past two seasons, but his role diminished as 2024 wore on.
Outlook: Redshirt sophomore Hayden Hansen started all 12 regular-season games because of his blocking and improved pass-catching ability -- he finished with 13 catches for 189 yards and a score. Sophomore Tony Livingston's continued development, highlighted by his first career touchdown at Florida State, also took snaps away from Boardingham. Air Force transfer Caleb Rillos, known for his blocking, redshirted, while true freshman Amir Jackson is an elite athlete and former two-sport high school star who needed a season to build his body.
Vitals: 6-0 1/2, 227 pounds
Resumé: Spurlock was a 3-star prospect out Madison Academy High School in Alabama rated the nation's No. 71 athlete after he recorded 186 tackles, including 27 for loss (8 sacks) as a senior in 2021. He signed with Michigan, but transferred after the 2022 season.
Role: Spurlock made three appearances on special teams in 2023 at UF, but did not get into the game in 2024.
Outlook: The Gators expect to return junior Shemar James, sophomores Pup Howard and Jayden Robinson, and promising freshmen Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles to a much-improved unit.
Vitals: 6-3, 246 pounds
Resumé: Hill was a 4-star prospect out Gainesville Buchholz rated the nation's No. 37 defensive tackles and Florida's No. 64 overall prospect after recording 22 sacks during three seasons.
Role: Hill switched from defensive tackle to tight end this past spring, trimming more than 30 pounds. But he did not develop a role on either side of the ball. He did not play during his two seasons.
Outlook:The Gators are in good stead at tight end with Hansen, Livingston, Rillos and Jackson.