The Florida Gators are bracing for a serious roster shakeup, and new head coach Jon Sumrall is stepping into a whirlwind of transfer portal movement that’s already reshaping the team’s outlook for 2026. With several key players heading out, including standout freshman EDGE Jayden Woods, the Gators are facing a critical two-week stretch that could define their trajectory under the new regime.
Let’s start with Woods, because his departure stings - and not just a little. The freshman edge rusher played in all 12 games this season and made his presence felt with 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, an interception, and a pass breakup.
That stat line earned him Freshman All-SEC honors, and it’s easy to see why. Woods has the kind of burst and bend off the edge that gets NFL scouts circling names on their watch lists.
Losing a player like that - especially one the staff prioritized in retention efforts - is a gut punch. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about losing a cornerstone at a premium position.
And Woods isn’t the only one. Tight end Hayden Hansen is also on his way out, and several other former Gators are popping up on updated transfer portal rankings.
The exodus raises a fair question: how did a roster with this much young talent underachieve? That’s a question for another day, though.
Right now, it’s about what Sumrall does next.
The good news? Not everything is falling apart in Gainesville.
There’s still a foundation to build on. Some key pieces - both veterans and promising underclassmen - have opted to stay, and most of the 2026 recruiting class has remained intact despite the coaching change.
That’s no small feat, especially in today’s college football landscape where loyalty is often fleeting and change is constant.
On the defensive front, there’s reason for optimism. Blue-chip recruits like edge rusher K.J.
Ford and defensive end Kendall Guervil could be immediate contributors, and sophomore LJ McCray - a former five-star talent - is still in the mix. So while Woods’ departure leaves a hole, the cupboard isn’t empty.
There’s still young talent ready to step up.
But let’s be real - everything starts with the quarterback. With DJ Lagway gone, Sumrall and new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner have a clear priority: find their guy under center.
The leading candidate right now is Georgia Tech’s Aaron Philo, who’s ranked as the No. 9 quarterback in the portal. Philo has a built-in advantage - familiarity with Faulkner’s system - which could make for a smoother transition and quicker installation of the offense.
Once the quarterback domino falls, expect the staff to shift focus to filling other key holes on the roster. There are plenty of names being linked to Florida, but the real action begins when the transfer window officially opens on January 2.
This is a pivotal moment for the Gators. The schedule next season is no joke - Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss are all on the slate.
Sumrall doesn’t just need to plug holes; he needs to build a team that can compete in one of the most unforgiving conferences in college football. The next few weeks won’t just shape the 2026 roster - they’ll set the tone for the Sumrall era in Gainesville.