LJ McCray isn’t going anywhere - and that’s big news for the Gators.
The rising redshirt sophomore edge rusher officially announced Tuesday that he’ll return to Florida for the 2026 season, putting to rest any speculation about his future. For a program in transition under a new head coach and navigating the ever-evolving world of the transfer portal, keeping a talent like McCray in Gainesville is a significant win.
McCray made his announcement through Florida Victorious, the Gators’ primary NIL partner, and his message was clear: this is home.
“It means everything. This is my dream school.
My goal was always to be a Gator, and I never really thought about leaving,” McCray said. “Coaches [Brad] White and [Gerald Chatman] have been very vocal about believing in me and wanting me here, and that means a lot.
It gave me a lot of confidence.”
McCray’s commitment is more than just a feel-good story - it’s a glimpse into what Florida hopes to build under new leadership. A former five-star recruit from Daytona Beach’s Mainland High School, McCray came in as one of the most highly touted prospects in the 2024 class. And while his on-field résumé is still developing, the flashes have been there.
As a true freshman in 2024, McCray saw action in all 13 games, recording 13 tackles, including one for loss and half a sack. But 2025 was a different story.
A knee injury during fall camp followed by a foot injury that required surgery limited him to just four snaps - all in Week 2 against South Florida. It was a tough break for a player many believed was primed for a breakout season.
Gators edge rusher Tyreak Sapp spoke candidly back in September about what McCray’s absence meant to the team.
“It hurt a lot, you know. It hurt, but I always tell him we're with him.
That's our brother,” Sapp said. “We're gonna stand by his side, no matter what...
I don't take the game for granted because things like that happen all the time and the game can be stripped from you. I take it personal for my guy, especially if you can't play the game.”
“I always let them know you can play through me. I got you.”
That kind of brotherhood speaks volumes about the culture Florida is trying to foster - and McCray’s return is a testament to that.
He’s not alone, either. A wave of Gators have recently reaffirmed their commitment to the program, including rising junior linebackers Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles, senior inside linebacker Jaden Robinson, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Jason Zandamela, wide receiver TJ Abrams, defensive linemen Jeramiah McCloud and Joseph Mbatchou, safety Lagonza Hayward, offensive lineman Roderick Kearney, and redshirt freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr.
That’s a solid core of returning talent - and it’s exactly what new head coach Jon Sumrall needs as he begins to shape the next era of Florida football.
Sumrall, introduced on December 1, made it clear from the jump that he intends to build a player-first program. He acknowledged that during his time at Tulane and Troy, he often had to lean heavily on the transfer portal out of necessity - losing key players to bigger programs with more resources.
“We will use the transfer portal,” Sumrall said. “If you've studied my rosters the last couple years, I haven't had the resources to keep very many of my good players.
They all end up getting poached. So I've had to embrace the transfer portal probably more than most, maybe even more than I'd like to at times, by necessity.”
“But we will use the portal to enhance our team and to supplement where there may be holes or deficiencies. We're going to run a player-driven program.
My job as the head football coach here is to serve and to develop the players. It's not to be served, it's to serve.”
With the NCAA’s new 15-day transfer portal window set to open Jan. 2-16, the next few weeks will be telling. But McCray staying put sends a strong message - not just about his belief in the program, but about the belief the program is instilling in its players.
For Florida, retaining a high-upside, homegrown talent like McCray is more than just roster continuity. It’s a building block. A sign that, even in the era of college football free agency, loyalty and development still matter.
And if McCray can stay healthy in 2026? The Gators might just have a difference-maker on their hands.