After the first official weekend, the transfer portal is open for business, and the Gators have landed their first two commitments for the 2026 campaign.
They may not be the flashiest of names, but they are two solid players who should have a pathway to playing time in 2026.
Tight End Lacota Dippre commits to Florida
Per his Instagram, James Madison tight end Lacota Dippre has committed to Florida. Listed at 6’3” and 253 pounds, Lacota originally signed with UNC Charlotte in the class of 2023 as a zero-star prospect. He didn’t play a down for the 49ers in 2023 before he played along the defensive line in 2024. Dippre played 223 snaps as a defensive lineman and had a PFF grade of 70.3.
He transferred to James Madison ahead of the 2025 season and moved to tight end, where he played 546 snaps for the playoff-bound Dukes and had a PFF grade of 71.8.
Dippre is your standard fare pass catcher who had 17 catches for 197 yards in 2025. His run blocking was considered a mixed bag at times, but he held up well enough in pass blocking, allowing just two QB hurries the entire season.
Dippre joins a tight end room that saw Hayden Hansen depart, but did retain Amir Jackson and Tony Livingston.
Safety DJ Coleman commits from Baylor
Florida’s first commit was safety DJ Coleman out of Baylor. Listed at 6’1” and 203 pounds, Coleman was a three-star prospect in the class of 2023, and he has been at Baylor for his entire college career.
Coleman saw action as a freshman and took 165 snaps and only gave up three receptions while being credited with two pass breakups. His usage increased to 278 snaps in 2024, which is considered the weakest year of his career, with seven missed tackles and just two pass breakups to go against 12 receptions against.
This past year, Coleman became the full-fledged starter for Baylor and took 593 snaps for the Bears. He only had five missed tackles on the year and had a PFF grade of 70.1.
Coleman joins a room that saw Jordan Castell leave, but is returning Bryce Thornton, along with redshirt freshmen Drake Stubbs and Lagonza Hayward.