By Chris Marler
It was a big offseason for the Florida Gators who brought in their fifth new head coach in the last decade and a half. Jon Sumrall from Tulane comes in to take over a program that has failed to find consistent success. His first test? The transfer portal. We talked with Brandon Olsen from LockedOn Gators to get his take on a few of the newest players in Gainesville.
Numbers to Know
Players Lost: 34
Players Gained: 25
On3 Ranking: No. 12
247Sports Ranking: No. 26
Headliner – WR Eric Singleton Jr (Auburn)
Singleton was a top five player in the transfer portal a year ago when he went from Georgia Tech to Auburn. He carried an NIL deal worth $1 million and led the team in receptions with 58. He finished 2025 with 534 yards and three touchdowns. Before that he had two straight seasons of at least 700 yards at Georgia Tech and will be back with his former offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
Singleton should have a big impact in this offense and provide immediate veteran experience and leadership for the rest of the receiving corps.
Biggest Loss – DL Michai Boireau (to Ole Miss)
You can make the case for DJ Lagway if you want, but from a production and projections standpoint, the answer is Boireau. Boireau was a big time recruit that chose Florida over five other SEC programs including the team he is now transferring to, Ole Miss. He started nine games his sophomore season in 2025 and registered 35 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and even one interception. He would’ve been a huge win if the Gators were able to successfully retain him.
“Lagway’s the name that I feel you have to mention but Michai Boireau was the best player if we’re talking talent.” -Olsen
Immediate Impact – C Harrison Moore (Georgia Tech)
Yet another player that followed former offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to Gainesville. He started ten games for the Yellow Jackets and will step in immediately to fill the shoes of departing All-American center Jake Slaughter. Moore allowed zero sacks in 2025 and just nine hurries all season.
Biggest Sleeper – DL Emmanuel Oyebadejo (Jacksonville State)
Some shades of Javon Kearse are in Oyebadejo who is a physical freak. At 6-foot-7, 295 pounds he’s one of the most physically gifted players the Gators brought in and has tremendous upside. He finished 2025 with 4.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He led Jacksonville State with 36 pressures. He’s from England originally and is still learning the game, but he ultimately chose the Gators over Texas A&M who also wanted him out of the portal.
Overall Grade – B
The Gators got a good one in Sumrall, and he did a great job in the portal. He lost some names that I’m sure some people around the Gator program wished were still around, but he retained several key guys as well. This doesn’t feel like Billy Napier 2.0.
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