Florida Loses Rising Star Jayden Woods to Transfer Portal Amid NIL Reality Check
Jon Sumrall hasn’t even held his first practice as Florida’s new head coach, and already he’s staring down a roster gut punch. Edge rusher Jayden Woods - one of the Gators’ top freshmen and a rising star on defense - has entered the transfer portal.
And his departure isn’t just about playing time or fit. It’s about money, plain and simple.
Woods didn’t just flash potential in his first year in Gainesville - he delivered. The Shawnee, Kansas native tied for the team lead in sacks (3.5) despite starting the season as a backup.
He tallied 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback pressures. Pro Football Focus gave him a 72.0 overall grade, with a 73.3 in pass rushing - strong numbers for any player, let alone a true freshman in the SEC.
That performance earned him Freshman All-SEC honors and, evidently, a lot of outside interest.
The portal doesn’t officially open until Thursday, but Woods made his move early, announcing his transfer plans on Monday. And while Florida’s had its fair share of exits this offseason - 20 players and counting - this one hits differently.
On the Locked On Gators podcast, Brandon Olsen didn’t sugarcoat it: “This is the first one that I think truly hurt.” He pointed to the growing influence of NIL deals, where talent isn’t just recruited - it’s retained through financial backing. And in Woods’ case, it appears Florida simply couldn’t match what another program was willing to offer.
That’s the new reality for Sumrall and programs like Florida. The Gators aren’t short on tradition or talent, but when it comes to NIL dollars, they’re playing in a different league than some of the sport’s biggest spenders.
Olsen compared it to Major League Baseball’s financial landscape - the Dodgers can spend at will, while the Pirates have to be strategic. Florida, in this analogy, is somewhere in the middle.
They might value Woods at $500,000 and be willing to stretch that number 15% based on positional value or upside. But if another school comes in with a million-dollar offer, the Gators aren’t chasing it.
And that’s the heart of the issue. Woods was the No. 113 overall recruit in the country and the No. 13 edge rusher coming out of high school.
He’s got three years of eligibility left and has already shown he can disrupt SEC offenses. That kind of production - and potential - commands a premium in today’s college football economy.
Florida has seen some major names hit the portal in recent weeks. Quarterback DJ Lagway, receivers Eugene Wilson III and Aidan Mizell, safety Jordan Castell (who racked up 168 tackles in Gainesville), cornerback Sharif Denson, and linebacker Grayson Howard have all announced plans to move on. And while the Gators have retained key young talents like Vernell Brown III and Myles Graham, the overall talent drain is hard to ignore.
Sumrall’s challenge is clear: rebuild a roster, reestablish stability, and do it all while navigating the unpredictable waters of NIL. He’s not just competing on the field - he’s competing in a high-stakes financial arms race. And right now, Florida’s not winning every battle.
Jayden Woods’ exit is more than just a personnel loss. It’s a signal - a stark reminder of the evolving game.
The Gators have the tradition, the facilities, and the fan base. But in today’s college football landscape, that’s only part of the equation.
The other part? Dollars.
And Woods just proved that when the money talks, even rising stars walk.