If Florida is serious about getting back into national championship conversations, the rebuild has to start with talent - and lots of it. That’s been a consistent message from athletic director Scott Stricklin during his time in Gainesville, and with a new head coach in Jon Sumrall at the helm, the Gators are wasting no time reshaping the roster. After losing 34 players to the transfer portal, Florida hit the reset button and went shopping for difference-makers.
Here’s a closer look at five key offensive additions from the 2026 transfer portal cycle who could play pivotal roles in Florida’s climb back to national relevance:
WR Eric Singleton Jr. - A Familiar Face with Big-Play Potential
Eric Singleton Jr. brings more than just experience to Gainesville - he brings a proven connection with Florida’s new offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner. The two worked together at Georgia Tech, where Singleton burst onto the scene as a freshman with six touchdowns and developed into the Jackets' go-to target over two seasons.
After a productive 2025 campaign at Auburn (58 catches, 534 yards, 3 TDs), Singleton now reunites with Faulkner in an offense that desperately needs a vertical threat. Florida averaged just 6.56 yards per pass attempt last year - a number that simply won’t cut it in the SEC. Singleton, who averaged over 14 yards per catch under Faulkner at Tech, offers the kind of downfield explosiveness that can stretch defenses and open up the playbook.
He’s not just a plug-and-play receiver - he’s someone who already knows the system, knows what Faulkner wants, and can help accelerate the transition for a new-look Gators offense.
RB London Montgomery - A Reliable Complement in the Backfield
Jadan Baugh is the clear lead dog in Florida’s backfield after a breakout season (1,170 yards, 10 total TDs, zero fumbles), but with four backs hitting the portal, depth became a major concern. Enter London Montgomery.
Montgomery comes to Gainesville after carving out a lead role at East Carolina, where he ran for 742 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. He’s a physical, downhill runner with solid vision and the ability to wear down defenses - the kind of back who can give Baugh a breather without the offense skipping a beat.
Originally a Penn State signee, Montgomery brings Power Five pedigree and a chip on his shoulder. He’ll team up with rising sophomore Duke Clark, who showed flashes in limited action last year, to give Florida a well-rounded backfield rotation.
QB Aaron Philo - A System Fit with Upside
The departure of DJ Lagway to Baylor left a massive void at quarterback - and a wide-open competition heading into spring. Florida responded by adding Aaron Philo, a redshirt freshman who spent two years at Georgia Tech learning under Buster Faulkner.
Philo didn’t see much game action in 2025 (21-of-28, 373 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), but what he does bring is familiarity with Faulkner’s offensive scheme. That could prove to be a major advantage in a race that also includes freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and incoming four-star Will Griffin.
Philo’s arm talent and timing in the quick game fit what Faulkner likes to do, and his understanding of the system gives him a real shot at winning the job. It’s not just about talent at quarterback - it’s about trust, rhythm, and command. Philo checks a lot of those boxes.
TE Luke Harpring - A Versatile Weapon at Tight End
Another Georgia Tech transfer with Faulkner ties, Luke Harpring comes in as a redshirt freshman with untapped potential. He caught 13 passes for 158 yards in 2025 and enters a tight end room that’s wide open.
Ranked as the No. 13 tight end in the portal, Harpring will compete with Amir Jackson (a redshirt sophomore) and fellow transfers Lacota Dippre (James Madison) and Evan Chieca (New Haven). But Harpring’s familiarity with Faulkner’s playbook gives him a leg up.
He’s a smooth route-runner with soft hands and enough athleticism to create mismatches against linebackers. If he can take a step forward as a blocker, Harpring could emerge as a well-rounded option in an offense that’s expected to lean heavily on tight end production in 2026.
WR Micah Mays Jr. - Boom-or-Bust Deep Threat
Micah Mays Jr. is the definition of a high-upside gamble. After three seasons at Wake Forest, Mays arrives in Gainesville with solid production (520 yards, 4 TDs, 34 receptions) but inconsistent efficiency. His drop rate (10%+) and contested catch struggles (just 25%) are red flags, but the raw tools are hard to ignore.
At 16.8 yards per catch and 5.7 yards after the catch per reception in 2025, Mays brings big-play ability and run-after-catch explosiveness - two traits Florida needs after losing eight receivers to the portal, including standouts Eugene Wilson III and Aidan Mizell.
Mays will join a young receiving corps that includes Eric Singleton Jr., redshirt freshman TJ Abrams, and rising sophomores Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson. If he can clean up the drops and improve his consistency, Mays has the potential to be a game-changer.
The Big Picture: A New Identity in Gainesville
Jon Sumrall and Buster Faulkner aren’t just rebuilding - they’re rebranding Florida football. The Gators are bringing in players who fit their system, know their philosophy, and can contribute right away. That’s especially important in an era where continuity is rare and patience is even rarer.
With Jadan Baugh as the offensive centerpiece and a host of new weapons around him, the Gators are building toward something. Whether that something is a legitimate SEC contender or a team still finding its footing in 2026 depends on how quickly these transfers settle in.
But one thing’s clear: Florida isn’t sitting back. They’re going after talent, familiarity, and fit - and they’re doing it with the goal of getting back into the national spotlight.