Florida’s secondary just got a major boost heading into 2026 - Bryce Thornton is coming back.
The junior safety out of College Park, Georgia, started 11 games for the Gators this past season and made his presence felt all over the field. At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, Thornton brings a physical edge to the back end of Florida’s defense, and his return gives the Gators a proven playmaker in a unit that’s looking to elevate next fall.
Let’s break down what Thornton brings to the table.
In 2025, he racked up 56 tackles, led the team in pass breakups with six, and filled up the stat sheet in just about every way possible: two fumble recoveries, five quarterback hurries, a sack, an interception, a tackle-for-loss, and a forced fumble. That’s not just versatility - that’s impact.
And it started early. In the season opener against LIU, Thornton scooped up a fumble and took it 37 yards to the house.
“I wanted to score a touchdown,” he said after the game. “I just saw the end zone and I had to pick that up.”
That play set the tone for what turned into a breakout year for the junior safety. Thornton has now played three seasons in Gainesville, and his career numbers tell the story of a player who’s only getting better: 131 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a sack and a half.
But it’s not just the stats. It’s how and when he makes plays.
Thornton’s ability to step up in key moments has been a hallmark of his time in orange and blue. As a sophomore, he helped seal a 24-17 win over Ole Miss in the Swamp - a game that showcased his instincts and leadership on the field. Florida head coach Billy Napier didn’t hold back in his praise after that one.
“Bryce has been a huge bright spot, stepping up in a major way,” Napier said. “Bryce has been in that training room every day for weeks, and I think he's really stepped up for our team in a major way.
Bryce got good experience last year, and I think ultimately he's a very capable player. He showed out today."
That kind of trust from a head coach doesn’t come easy. Thornton has earned it by doing the little things - staying healthy, staying locked in, and consistently executing his assignments. His approach to the game reflects that mindset.
“I just feel like we all had that one focus on defense,” Thornton said. “Each play, just that one-play mentality.
Don’t think ahead. Everybody just do one play, just do your job and everything is going to work out right."
That mentality has served him well since arriving at Florida in 2023. A former three-star recruit from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, Thornton was ranked the No. 52 safety in his class and the No. 58 overall prospect in the state. He committed to the Gators in October 2022 after official visits to Florida, Miami, and Alabama, and enrolled early in January 2023.
Now, heading into his senior season, he’s no longer just a promising young player - he’s a cornerstone of Florida’s defense.
In a conference where elite defensive backs are a must, the Gators just held onto one of their most important pieces. Thornton’s return doesn’t just stabilize the secondary - it gives Florida a leader, a tone-setter, and a player who’s proven he can deliver in the biggest moments.
For a defense looking to take the next step in 2026, that’s a win that goes far beyond the stat sheet.