Florida Gators Face Roster Shake-Up as Transfer Portal Exodus Begins Ahead of 2026 Season
The winds of change are blowing hard in Gainesville. With the arrival of new head coach Jon Sumrall and a nearly complete overhaul of the Florida Gators’ coaching staff, the program is heading into the 2026 season with a fresh vision-and a dramatically different roster. The NCAA’s evolving transfer rules have essentially turned the offseason into a version of college football free agency, and Florida is feeling the full effect.
As the Gators look to rebound from a turbulent stretch under former head coach Billy Napier, the roster turnover is already in full swing. A number of key players, including former top recruits and multi-year starters, are heading for the exits. The official opening of the transfer portal on January 2 will make these moves official, but the writing is already on the wall.
Let’s break down the 10 notable Gators who are on their way out-and what their departures mean for a program in transition.
DJ Lagway, Quarterback
This is the headline departure. DJ Lagway came to Florida with sky-high expectations as a five-star recruit and the No. 4 overall player in the 2024 class. But after a rocky sophomore season-one that followed an offseason in which he didn’t practice due to medical decisions made by his camp-Lagway’s time in Gainesville has come to a premature end.
He completed 63% of his passes for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions across 12 games in 2025. The flashes of talent were there, but so were the inconsistencies. While Lagway reportedly wanted to stay, a mutual parting of ways may be best for both sides as Florida resets under new leadership.
Aidan Mizell, Wide Receiver
A legacy player and former four-star recruit, Mizell brought elite speed and promise to the Gators’ offense. But injuries and limited opportunities kept him from making the impact many hoped for. Over two seasons and a redshirt year, Mizell totaled just 404 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
He never quite found his footing in the offense, and his departure opens up another spot in a wide receiver room that’s likely to see significant retooling under the new staff.
Jordan Castell, Safety
This one stings. Castell has been a rock in the Gators’ secondary since arriving in 2023.
A Freshman All-SEC selection, he started 35 of the 36 games he played, including 34 straight. In 2025, he finished third on the team in total tackles (54) and assisted tackles (26), while also co-leading the team with two interceptions.
With one year of eligibility left, Castell will be a major addition wherever he lands. For Florida, his departure leaves a leadership and production void on the back end of the defense.
Grayson Howard, Linebacker
Howard transferred in from South Carolina and immediately stepped into a starting role, opening the 2024 season with nine straight starts. But injuries limited him to just three appearances the rest of the way. He still managed 37 tackles (17 solo), two tackles for loss, a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.
With one year left to play, Howard’s a proven SEC-level linebacker when healthy. His exit leaves a gap in the middle of a defense that’s already undergoing significant change.
Teddy Foster, Defensive Back
Foster saw limited action over the past two seasons, appearing in 11 games. While he didn’t crack the starting lineup, his departure further depletes the depth in a secondary that’s already losing a veteran presence in Castell.
KD Daniels, Running Back
Daniels contributed in a rotational role, logging 31 touches for 122 yards and a touchdown over the last two seasons. He played in 13 games during that span, offering depth in the backfield. Florida’s running back room has been a crowded one, and Daniels’ departure could open the door for younger talent to emerge.
Tank Hawkins, Wide Receiver
Another wideout on the way out, Hawkins played in 11 games over two seasons, totaling 12 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Like Mizell, he struggled to carve out a consistent role, and his transfer is part of a broader reshuffling at the position.
Amir Jackson, Tight End
Jackson was one of the more intriguing prospects in Florida’s 2024 recruiting class-a four-star, top-100 talent. But the production never matched the potential. In 15 games over two seasons (11 in 2025), Jackson managed just three catches for 29 yards.
His departure is another sign that the new staff is likely looking for a different type of tight end to fit their scheme.
Josiah Davis, Defensive Back
Davis didn’t see the field in 2025 after appearing in four games as a freshman. While his role was limited, his exit continues the trend of defensive backs heading elsewhere, which could push the Gators to aggressively pursue reinforcements in the portal.
The Bigger Picture
This kind of turnover isn’t unusual when a program hits the reset button. With Jon Sumrall taking over and bringing in a new vision, it’s clear that Florida is going all-in on a cultural and personnel reboot. The challenge now is rebuilding quickly enough to stay competitive in the always-loaded SEC.
The Gators will need to hit the portal hard-not just to replace lost production, but to find players who fit Sumrall’s system and mentality. It’s a tall task, but also an opportunity for a clean slate.
Florida fans have seen enough false starts in recent years. The hope now is that this roster shake-up is the start of something more stable-and more successful-at The Swamp.