Florida's wide receiver room is undergoing a major transformation, welcoming eight fresh faces, including five transfers and three high school recruits. As the Gators gear up for spring practice, one name is already making waves: Bailey Stockton, a 5’11, 185-pound transfer from Georgia Tech.
Head coach Jon Sumrall is already impressed. “Bailey Stockton is an extreme competitor,” Sumrall noted.
“They’ve all shown potential, but Bailey stands out. In our morning workouts, he’s relentless.
He thrives on competition.”
With three years of college experience, Stockton brings a veteran presence to Florida. After redshirting in 2023, he made 38 receptions for 439 yards and a touchdown over the past two seasons.
In 2025, he hit career highs with 21 catches and 233 receiving yards. While those numbers might not jump off the page, they came amidst a talented receiver lineup at Georgia Tech, including Eric Singleton Jr., Eric Rivers, Malik Rutherford, and Isiah Canion, all in a run-heavy offense.
No one knows Stockton better than Florida's offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who worked with him at Georgia Tech. “Toughness.
That’s what Bailey brings,” Faulkner said. “He’s got heart.
Ask anyone here, and they’ll tell you he’s incredibly tough.”
Faulkner added, “He’s smart, competitive, and those are the guys you win with. His production was solid, even backing up one of Georgia Tech’s top receivers. We’re thrilled he’s here.”
Trent McKnight, Florida’s passing game coordinator and inside receivers coach, has a history with Stockton, having recruited him at Georgia State before coaching him at Georgia Tech. McKnight recalls Stockton’s resilience from high school days.
“When I was at Georgia State, he’d just broken his collarbone but was gearing up for the state championship with Philo. He came back faster than most,” McKnight shared. “Bailey’s tough, competitive, and the kind of person you want in the locker room.”
McKnight believes Stockton will thrive in Florida’s system. “He’s a downfield threat with a great feel for zone coverage and scramble drills. I think he’ll really benefit from our offense.”
As we look ahead to the 2026 season, Stockton’s grit, toughness, and familiarity with the system could give him an edge among the newcomers. The Gators’ wide receiver rotation remains open, but Stockton is certainly a player to watch.