Image Credit: UAA

The most drastic roster reconstruction that as has ever taken place in Gainsville, Florida, is underway with the Florida Gators seeing more than 30 members of the 2025 roster entering the transfer portal. Head coach Jon Sumrall, his coaching staff and Florida’s NIL arm have been busy not only convincing players to stay with the program but also scouting replacements to fill in some now-fragile roster positions.

Much of the focus to this point has been on which players Florida is losing, particularly considering sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway and freshman EDGE Jayden Woods have departed with sophomore running back Jadan Baugh still undecided.

However, the Gators have locked up numerous significant names for the 2026 season (and hopefully beyond).

The NCAA’s inability to legislate has created what amounts to annual free agency in college sports. Programs not only need to recruit players out of high school but re-recruit them every offseason. Oftentimes, that includes renewing NIL deals for larger sums than were paid out previously.

So while the idea of Florida needing to “re-sign” its roster may not be palatable, that is what college sports have become — and there are no signs of it changing any time soon.

Aside from the 30 players entering the transfer portal, the vast majority of the Gators’ roster will be returning for the 2026 campaign. The most notable names whose status you may be wondering about can be found below:

Myles Graham, linebacker: Started all 13 games, registering a team-high 76 tackles (36 solo, seven for loss) with two sacks, eight QB hurries and four pass breakups. Graham looks to be the next great Florida LB entering his junior season.

Vernell Brown III, wide receiver: Starting six of the 10 games he played while not only catching passes but returning kicks and punts, Brown registered a team-high 40 receptions for 512 yards. It was circumstantial that he did not score a touchdown, and injuries hampered the five-star freshman legacy’s debut season.

Dallas Wilson, wide receiver: Played four games in the middle of the season, missing the first four and last four due to injury. Wilson, a former five-star prospect, hauled in 12 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns in his freshman campaign, most of which came in his debut against Texas.

Tramell Jones, Jr., quarterback: Completed 21 of 35 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a pair of second-half efforts against LIU and Kentucky. With Lagway transferring, Jones, a former four-star prospect, will compete for the starting job after the freshman flashed in spot appearances.

LJ McCray, EDGE: Missed nearly the entire 2025 season due to injury after flashing as a five-star true freshman in 2024.

Bryce Thornton, safety: Started all 11 games he played in 2025, registering 56 tackles, an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, six pass breakups and a sack. Should be a senior starter in 2026.

Jaden Robinson, linebacker: Started all 12 games, recording 50 tackles (28 solo, four for loss) with two sacks, four QB hurries and three pass breakups in his junior campaign.

Cormani McClain, cornerback: Started six of the 10 games he played, registering 18 tackles (10 solo, one for loss), an interception and a pass breakup. McClain, once a five-star prospect, has been a reclamation project whose arrow pointed up while getting run as a redshirt sophomore.

Dijon Johnson, cornerback: Started four games before suffering a season-ending injury in 2025 after starting five of 13 games in 2024. Johnson will likely be a redshirt junior starter in 2026.

Lagonza Hayward, safety: Played 11 games after being thrust onto the field due to injury as a true freshman. Hayward, a former four-star prospect, could be a breakout player in 2026.

Knijeah Harris, offensive lineman: Started all 25 games over the last two seasons at left guard. (Roderick Kearney, Bryce Lovett, Caden Jones and Fletcher Westphal are other notable OL who re-signed.)

Aaron Chiles, linebacker: Played in all 25 games the last two seasons, totaling 74 tackles.

Amir Jackson, tight end: Played in 15 games over the last two seasons (11 in 2025), totalling three catches for 29 yards. Jackson, a former top-100 prospect, originally announced he would enter the portal but changed his mind.

Jamari Lyons, defensive tackle: Started five games in 2025, playing in every contest after missing the 2024 season due to injury. Lyons will be a redshirt senior in 2026.

Kamran James, EDGE: Registered a team-high 3.5 sacks with 4.5 tackles for loss as part of a 44-tackle (23 solo) effort in 2025. James had three QB hurries and a forced fumble, remaining a consistent presence on the field in his third season.