Florida’s defensive front just took a serious hit. Sophomore defensive tackle Michai Boireau has officially entered the transfer portal, announcing his decision on Thursday with two years of eligibility remaining.
Boireau, who started nine games for the Gators this season, isn’t just another name in the portal-he’s one of the more impactful departures of Florida’s offseason. Ranked as the No. 75 overall transfer and the No. 9 defensive lineman in the country by On3, Boireau is expected to draw plenty of attention from Power Four programs looking to bolster their interior defensive line.
In his announcement, Boireau thanked the University of Florida, his coaches, teammates, and support staff, emphasizing the role they played in his development both on and off the field. After what he described as a period of reflection and prayer, he made the call to look for a new opportunity elsewhere.
Boireau’s Journey in Gainesville
Boireau arrived in Gainesville as a highly touted recruit in the class of 2024. He was ranked the No. 22 defensive lineman in the nation and chose Florida over a loaded list of programs that included Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
He didn’t waste time making an impact. As a true freshman, Boireau saw the field in 12 games, logging 144 snaps.
His sophomore year saw a significant leap-he started all nine games he played in and became a key piece of Florida’s defensive interior. His final stat line with the Gators: 35 total tackles (14 solo), two tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception.
Those numbers don’t just reflect production-they show a young lineman still scratching the surface of his potential.
Florida's Growing Transfer Exodus
Boireau’s departure is part of a broader trend that’s reshaping the Gators’ roster. Florida has now seen 15 players enter the transfer portal this offseason, a number that signals real turnover on both sides of the ball.
On offense, the list includes quarterback DJ Lagway, running back KD Daniels, and a host of wide receivers: Tank Hawkins, Aidan Mizell, Mike Peterson Jr. (a walk-on), and Muizz Tounkara. The offensive line is also taking hits with Marcus Mascoll and Enoch Wangoy heading out, along with tight end Amir Jackson.
Defensively, Boireau isn’t alone. Walk-on defensive lineman Tarvorise Brown is leaving, as are linebacker Grayson Howard and defensive backs Jordan Castell, Josiah Davis, and Teddy Foster.
It’s a significant wave of movement, and Boireau’s exit underscores the kind of talent Florida is losing. As the Gators look to regroup and reload, the portal isn’t just a tool for adding depth-it’s becoming a critical battleground for retaining it.
For Boireau, the next chapter is wide open. With his size, experience, and upside, he’ll be one of the more sought-after defensive linemen available. And for Florida, his departure is a reminder of how fluid college football rosters have become in the portal era.