Florida football is wrapping up its 2026 transfer portal cycle, and while the window officially closed on January 16, the Gators are still finalizing moves as a few names trickle in due to post-holiday compliance delays. The door remains open for unsigned portal players to find a home up until National Signing Day on February 5, depending on each school’s academic calendar.
So where does Florida stand? The Gators brought in 25 scholarship transfers to offset the 28 departures from their roster.
That’s a near one-for-one swap as new head coach Jon Sumrall and general manager Dave Caldwell look to reshape the program with players who fit both their scheme and their culture. It’s a balancing act-rebuilding the roster without losing the locker room-and so far, Florida’s approach has been aggressive but calculated.
The Gators did manage to retain some key pieces from their 2025 squad, including running back Jadan Baugh, linebacker Myles Graham, wide receivers Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III, and edge rusher Jayden Woods. Those names give Florida a solid foundation of returning talent, even as the staff retools through the portal.
How the experts view Florida’s 2026 transfer class
Let’s break down how two of the major recruiting services are evaluating Florida’s work in the portal.
247Sports slots Florida’s transfer class at No. 26 nationally. It’s not a top-tier haul by their metrics, but it’s serviceable.
Of the 25 scholarship additions, only one player earned a four-star rating-Auburn wide receiver Eric Singleton. The rest of the class is heavy on three-star talent, including Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo and Kentucky safety Cam Dooley.
No five-stars in the bunch, which puts Florida in the middle of the pack.
Within the SEC, 247Sports ranks Florida’s transfer class 11th out of 16 programs. That’s a tough spot, especially in a conference where the arms race never stops.
Florida trails heavy hitters like LSU (No. 1), Ole Miss (No. 2), and Texas (No. 3), but also ranks behind Kentucky (No. 9) and Texas A&M (No.
11). It’s a reminder that in the SEC, the margin for error is razor-thin, and even a decent class can feel like it’s lagging behind.
On3, on the other hand, paints a more optimistic picture. They rank Florida’s transfer class 12th in the FBS-an improvement over 247’s view-and fifth in the SEC. That’s a notable jump and suggests a bit more confidence in the quality of Florida’s additions.
According to On3, the Gators landed three four-star transfers: Singleton from Auburn, Dooley from Kentucky, and DJ Coleman, a defensive back from Baylor. The rest of the class is filled out with 22 three-star players. That’s still a lot of developmental talent, but the presence of three four-stars gives the class a little more punch.
What it all means for Florida
This transfer cycle isn’t just about numbers-it’s about fit, identity, and momentum. Jon Sumrall is in his first year at the helm, and this is his first real chance to shape the roster in his image. He and Caldwell are clearly prioritizing players who buy into the program’s direction, even if that means passing on flashier names.
The Gators may not have landed a top-10 transfer class, but they’ve added pieces that could contribute right away and help stabilize a roster in transition. The key now is development. If this staff can turn some of those three-stars into high-level SEC contributors, the rankings won’t matter nearly as much as the results on Saturdays.
For now, Florida fans should view this class as a solid first step in a longer journey. The portal giveth and taketh, but it also offers programs a chance to pivot quickly. Florida’s doing just that-quietly, methodically, and with a clear plan in place.