As the transfer portal prepares to swing open this Friday, Florida’s coaching staff is eyeing reinforcements across the board-but one position group that could use a little extra juice is EDGE. That said, even before any new faces arrive in Gainesville, the Gators got a key boost from within.
Kamran James is coming back for 2026, and that’s big news for a Florida defense that’s looking to take a step forward next season.
James made it official on social media, announcing his return for another year after a solid 2025 campaign. He logged 402 snaps this past season, racking up 44 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, two batted balls, and a forced fumble.
He’s not just a stat filler-he was also one of the Gators’ most consistent defensive performers. Among Florida defenders who played at least 100 snaps, James graded out as the 10th-best overall, according to Pro Football Focus.
That kind of production and experience coming back is a big deal, especially at a position where rotational depth and disruption are critical.
James came to Florida as part of the 2023 recruiting class, a top-200 national prospect with a high ceiling. As a true freshman, he saw limited action-just 77 snaps-but by 2024, his role expanded significantly. He played 360 snaps that season and tallied 13 quarterback hurries, showing flashes of the edge-rushing upside that made him a coveted recruit.
While he hasn’t quite hit the level some expected when he was ranked as a top-100 recruit by 247Sports, James has developed into a reliable presence on the defensive line. His return gives Florida a proven veteran to anchor the EDGE group heading into 2026-even if the Gators don’t land a marquee name in the portal.
And James isn’t the only reason for optimism.
Jayden Woods is also set to return after a strong true freshman season. According to PFF, Woods graded out as the third-best defender on Florida’s entire defense in 2025. That’s not just promising-that’s the kind of early production that hints at a breakout sophomore campaign.
Then there’s LJ McCray, the wild card in this equation. A former five-star prospect, McCray’s freshman year was hampered by injuries and limited playing time.
But the talent is there. If he can stay healthy and take even a modest step forward, Florida could suddenly be looking at a deep, dynamic rotation at EDGE.
So yes, Florida will be active in the portal. They’ll look to add another body to this group-someone who can contribute right away. But even if that big-name transfer doesn’t materialize, the Gators already have a foundation to work with.
A healthy and returning trio of James, Woods, and McCray brings a mix of experience, upside, and untapped potential. Add just one more piece-whether it’s a seasoned transfer or a breakout candidate already on the roster-and Florida’s EDGE group could quietly become one of the strengths of the 2026 defense.
In a year where roster turnover is the norm, keeping a guy like Kamran James in the fold matters. It gives Florida a known commodity in the trenches, and when you combine that with the young talent around him, this unit could be ready to make some noise.