College football’s offseason chaos has officially arrived, and with it comes a familiar refrain: the portal giveth, and the portal taketh away.
As the NCAA transfer portal’s two-week window opens, every program is bracing for change. Some schools will see a handful of players depart.
Others? A full-blown roster shake-up.
But this isn’t just about subtraction - the portal is a two-way street. While talent exits, reinforcements are already lining up.
Still, before we talk additions, let’s break down the current reality for Florida’s five FBS programs, starting with the losses each team is facing.
Florida Gators
Expected portal departures: 16
Key losses:
- QB DJ Lagway (16 straight starts since 2024)
- EDGE Jayden Woods (Freshman All-SEC, 2025)
- WR Tre Wilson (Freshman All-SEC, 2023)
- DB Jordan Castell (168 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 3 INTs across three seasons)
What it means:
The Gators are losing some serious firepower, particularly on offense and in the secondary.
Lagway, a steady presence under center, and Wilson, a dynamic playmaker out wide, leave big shoes to fill. Woods flashed elite potential off the edge, and Castell was a mainstay in the defensive backfield.
But it’s not all doom and gloom in Gainesville. There’s reason for optimism - especially at the skill positions.
Promising young wideouts Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson are sticking around, and quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. is expected to take the next step. If new head coach Jon Sumrall can lock down top rusher Jadan Baugh and bring in a proven quarterback from the portal, Florida could stabilize quickly.
The secondary, however, is due for a major overhaul, with six defensive backs, including Sharif Denson (89 tackles over the last two years), expected to exit.
Florida State Seminoles
Expected portal departures: 21
Key losses:
- RB Gavin Sawchuk (486 yards, 8 TDs in 2025)
- TE Randy Pittman (23 receptions, 208 yards, 2 TDs)
- S Edwin Joseph (37 tackles, 3 INTs)
What it means:
For the second straight offseason, the Seminoles are watching talent walk out the door - and after back-to-back losing seasons, it’s not exactly a shock. Sawchuk brought reliable production out of the backfield, Pittman was a steady option at tight end, and Joseph made plays in the secondary.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos and safety Earl Little are also gone, but they’re headed for the NFL Draft, not the portal. Regardless, the challenge remains the same for head coach Mike Norvell: find impact players who can contribute right away. With the margin for error thinner than ever in Tallahassee, Norvell can’t afford to miss on his portal pickups this time around.
Miami Hurricanes
Expected portal departures: 0
Key losses: None (so far)
What it means:
For now, the ‘Canes are holding steady.
After a postseason run that reignited belief in Coral Gables, Miami hasn’t lost a player to the portal - yet. That could change in the coming days, but head coach Mario Cristobal has built up a strong track record when it comes to portal additions.
Cristobal has already proven he can land high-impact players, including quarterbacks Cam Ward and Carson Beck, and All-ACC cornerback Keionte Scott. If departures do come, expect Miami to be aggressive and effective in finding replacements.
UCF Knights
Expected portal departures: 18
Key losses:
- QB Tayven Jackson (10 starts in 2025)
- DL Rodney Lora (22 tackles, 3.5 TFLs)
- DL John Walker (40 tackles, 4 QB hurries)
What it means:
The roster churn in Orlando continues as Scott Frost, now in his second stint as head coach, works to lay the foundation for his long-term vision. The defensive front is taking the biggest hit - six linemen are expected to leave, including Lora and Walker, who were steady contributors.
Jackson, who started 10 games last season, is also on his way out. But given his struggles (12th in the Big 12 in passer efficiency), UCF was already eyeing an upgrade at quarterback. Frost has his work cut out for him, but the Knights are clearly in rebuild mode - and that means more movement is likely on the way.
USF Bulls
Expected portal departures: 15
Key losses:
- QB Byrum Brown (32 career starts, 4,166 total yards in 2025)
- WR Keshaun Singleton (50 catches, 877 yards, 8 TDs)
- CB Jarvis Lee (53 tackles, 2 INTs, 4 sacks)
- WR Chas Nimrod (23 catches, 466 yards)
What it means:
New head coach Brian Hartline is wasting no time getting thrown into the deep end. The Bulls are losing their starting quarterback, top receiver, and one of their most productive cornerbacks - not to mention some key depth on the offensive line and in the secondary.
Brown was the engine of the offense, and Singleton was his go-to target. Replacing that kind of chemistry won’t be easy.
The good news? Hartline’s recruiting reputation precedes him, and the portal offers a chance to reset quickly.
But there’s no doubt - USF has some serious holes to fill, and the pressure is on to find the right fits fast.
The portal era is a wild ride, and Florida’s top programs are feeling every twist and turn. Some are retooling, others are rebuilding, and a few - for now - are holding the line. But one thing’s for sure: this offseason is just getting started.