Florida football: Who’s in and who’s out for the Gators in 2020

Following the last game of the regular season for Florida football, things started moving fast in terms of players deciding not to return in 2020.

With the advent of the NCAA transfer portal every school — including Florida football — is susceptible to student-athletes deciding to pursue options elsewhere.

Some will look to the 2020 NFL Draft for their future, while others will want that one last year to prove college football greatness elsewhere.

Florida football has already seen activity in the transfer portal — even before the season came to an end. But now that activity has ramped up.

Here’s a look at who’s leaving and who’s coming to Florida football in 2020:

Feleipe Franks, quarterback

Florida football quarterback Feleipe Franks had the Gator offense in the palm of his hand and was looking to elevate his own game in 2019.

Then Kentucky happened.

Franks suffered a season-ending ankle injury that led to the coming of age of Kyle Trask. Trask fired the Gators to a 10-2 record and was a few plays shy of leading them to the SEC championship game.

Franks undoubtedly saw the writing on the wall with Trask announcing he would return and Emory Jones waiting in the wings, so he elected to enter the transfer portal. He also left open the possibility of entering the 2020 NFL Draft — although that seems like a really long shot.

During his time with Florida football, Franks had a completion percentage of 59 and averages 7.4 yards per throw to go along with 38 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

One potential landing spot for Franks would be at Kansas with the coach he committed to first: Les Miles.

C.J. Henderson, cornerback

Florida football cornerback C.J. Henderson has elected to forgo his final year at Florida and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

He will also sit out whatever bowl game the Gators happen to get drawn into.

There is a good reason for Henderson deciding to take his game to the next level and many pundits believe he is a first-round draft pick — CBS Sports projects Henderson to be the 24th overall pick.

During this season, Henderson had 11 pass breakups in nine games after missing three games earlier with an ankle injury.

Nick Sproles, quarterback

Walk-on back-up back-up quarterback Nick Sproles announced a couple of weeks ago he would enter the transfer portal and leave Florida football.

Sproles was a walk-on from Winter Park, Florida and was the third-string quarterback behind Franks and Trask — that was until Emory Jones came into the mix.

It’s not likely he would see the field next season either with Trask and Jones on the roster, so it was likely the best move possible to transfer.

Where he winds up, no one knows.

Lucas Krull, tight end

Florida football tight end Lucas Krull was a victim of circumstance this year.

No one would have projected that Kyle Pitts would turn out to be one of the best tight ends in the country and that his relationship with Trask would help put him there.

But, here we are.

In his two years on the field for the Gators, Krull managed nine catches for 108 yards. He was also 2-for-2 passing for 19 yards. Krull was also an instrumental member of the Florida football special teams unit.

There are several options for Krull. One would be to return to playing baseball. Krull played a season at Jefferson College. As a pitcher, he had five starts and recorded 27 strikeouts in 16.2 innings pitched.

He could also return closer to home. He hails from Shawnee Mission, Kansas where he helped lead his high school team to a 12-1 record his senior year and a state championship.

Hey, if Kansas and Les Miles could work for Franks, why couldn’t it work for Krull? Lawrence is just a hop, skip and jump away from Shawnee Mission.

Chris Bleich, offensive lineman

With the resurgence of lineman Richard Gouriage, fellow lineman Chris Bleich elected to enter the transfer portal a month ago.

If you remember, it all started when Gouriage started ahead of Bleich against South Carolina because Bleich had blisters on his fingers. Bleich recovered against Georgia but lasted three series before being replaced by Gouriage for good.

Bleich was listed at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, but like the rest of the Florida football offensive line, struggled to get off the ball quick enough and get a solid enough push on the line to give running backs the ability to find holes.

Umstead Sanders, outside linebacker

Another new addition to the transfer portal from Florida football is outside linebacker Umstead Sanders.

After getting a redshirt last year following just three games, Sanders never really got into the mix this year.

Of course, it would be difficult considering the competition at linebacker for the Gators.

Prior to Florida football, Sanders played two seasons at Hinds Community College.

Most notable is the fact that Umstead’s brother Trey is a running back at Alabama. Don’t be too surprised if Sanders attempts to earn a spot with the Crimson Tide.

While those are players who are leaving Florida football, there are a couple of new faces who will make their way to Gainesville for the 2020 season.

Brenton Cox, outside linebacker

If Sanders thought the road to starting in the Florida football secondary would be tough this year, next would likely be even harder.

Former Georgia outside linebacker Brenton Cox entered the transfer portal and has already enrolled at Florida. He did not play this year as the NCAA ruled him ineligible.

However, he will be ready to suit up next season.

In 11 games last season with the Bulldogs, Cox tallied 20 tackles — seven of those solo — along with a sack and two tackles for loss. He has a career-high six tackles in the Sugar Bowl against Texas.

He comes to Florida football as a solid pass defender — he had three pass breakups to lead Georgia last season.

It would seem that Cox will provide a lot of extra speed and defending to the Florida football secondary next season.

Jordan Pouncy, wide receiver

If you thought the Florida football receiver corps would be hit hard with graduation, you might be right.

However, one talented receiver has elected to come home.

Jordan Pouncey, from Winter Park, will join the Gators after spending the last two seasons at Texas.

While in Austin, Pouncey never really found his place. He had just two catches for 19 yards this season and never played in a conference game for the Longhorns — and they could have used him going just 5-4 in the Big 12.

He stands at 6-2 and weighs 205 pounds to go along with his solid speed.

Florida football is losing Van Jefferson, Josh Grimes, Tyrie Cleveland and Freddie Swain to graduation, but do return Trevon Grimes, Jacob Copeland and Kadarius Toney (who is actually pretty versatile and could be more than just a receiver).