With the first transfer portal window coming to a close, The Athletic looked at how each SEC East team fared, with the Florida Gators categorized as a “turnstile team”.
The transfer portal’s first six-week winter window closed on Jan. 18, meaning that all nongraduates who wished to enter the portal had to do so by that date. Graduate transfers are eligible to enter the portal at any time.
But just because there are limits to when you can enter your name in the portal, doesn’t mean that’s the only time a player can sign with a new program — players who are currently in the portal can sign with any school of their choice. So don’t expect the commitment announcements to slow down any time soon.
Here is what The Athletic’s G. Allen Taylor had to say about the roster turnover in Gainesville:
Total portal arrivals/departures: 7/23
Key portal arrivals: QB Graham Mertz (Wisconsin), G Micah Mazzccua (Baylor), T Damieon George (Alabama), CamRon Jackson (Memphis), DL Caleb Banks (Louisville), LB Teradja Mitchell (Ohio State), LB Deuce Spurlock (Michigan)
Key portal departures: G Ethan White (undecided), DB Tre’Vez Johnson (Missouri), T Michael Tarquin (USC), CB Avery Helm (TCU), DT Jalen Lee (LSU), Donovan McMillon (Pitt), TE Nick Elksnis (South Carolina)
The outgoing volume looks jarring. In reality, many of the players leaving were caught up in a rebuild and weren’t courted intensely to stay. Among the exceptions were White and Johnson, both multi-year starters. Tarquin struggled to distinguish himself in four years at Florida but certainly factored into next season’s plans, given the depth issues at tackle.
The analysis Taylor writes up here is spot on. The roster turnover was to be expected. The number discrepancy is also aligned with Billy Napier’s “quality over quantity” approach…
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