Jan. 19, 2026, 5:28 p.m. ET
Former Baylor defensive lineman Samu Taumanupepe flipped his commitment from Florida to Colorado on Saturday, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Taumanupepe initially made his pledge to the Gators on Thursday after Florida defensive line coach Gerald Chatman made Taumanupepe feel like a priority. However, a scheduled visit to Colorado changed his mind.
While the loss is certainly a change in plans for Jon Sumrall and his staff at Florida, the Gators are well-stocked on the defensive line, even without Taumanupepe.
Senior Jamari Lyons and junior Brendan Bett return after a combined 596 snaps last season, and sophomores Joseph Mbatchou and Jeramiah McCloud are primed for big years after playing a combined 293 snaps. The young guys benefited from Caleb Banks’ near-season-long injury in that regard.
Florida also added DK Kalu, who played 315 snaps for Baylor, to the position room, and junior Mason Clinton (Iowa) recently committed to the Gators as well.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Taumanupepe’s college career
A 6-foot-3-inch, 376-pound interior lineman, Taumanupepe started his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Baylor after two seasons. He’s only played in six games, however. Taumanupepe spent the last two years with the Bears, but only appeared in two games last season, recording six total tackles. He redshirted in 2023 and recorded two tackles over two games in 2025.
Florida 2026 transfer portal additions
The Gators are adding more than two dozen players via the transfer portal this cycle, even with the loss of Taumanupepe.
On offense, Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo, Cincinnati running back Evan Pryor, Eastern Carolina running back London Montgomery, Auburn wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech wide receiver Bailey Stockton, Wake Forest receiver Micah Mays Jr., James Madison tight end Lacota Dippre, Georgia Tech tight end Luke Harpring, Georgia Tech interior offensive lineman Harrison Moore, Stanford offensive lineman Emeka Ugorji and Penn State offensive linemen Eagan Boyer and TJ Shanahan have committed.
On defense, Florida has earned commitments from Baylor defensive lineman DK Kalu, Jacksonville State defensive lineman/edge defender Emmanuel Oyebadejo, UCF linebacker TJ Bullard, UCLA cornerback Kanye Clark, Kentucky cornerback Cam Dooley, Baylor safety DJ Coleman and Mississippi Gulf Coast (JUCO) safety Elijah Owens.
The Gators are also adding a pair of special teamers from Tulane, kicker Patrick Durkin and punter Alec Clark, and Louisiana long snapper Carter Milliron.
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