Florida Football: Which players from the transfer portal will add the most value?
The initial wave of transfer portal activity is winding down and outside of some stragglers from programs who lost their head coach, Florida football has pretty much landed everyone they are going to land during this cycle.
And while we would agree that this class could be better for Florida, it isn't all gloom and doom for the Gators and there are some players that we here at Hail Florida Hail do think will add value in 2024.
The following is out ranking of all ten players Florida grabbed out of the portal, not counting Jameer Grimsley who is technically a transfer but only because Alabama wouldn't release him from his LOI.
This list is also ranking which players we think will add value, not necessarily which players we think are the best players.
Florida Football Transfer Portal Rankings
#10 Clay Millen
- QB from Colorado State
Millen was the starter for Colorado State in 2022 and was a serviceable enough game manager. His completion percentage was 72% and threw just six interceptions on 234 passing attempts.
But Millen lost his starting job after the opening game in 2023 and was relegated to bench duty the rest of the season.
Ultimately, with Max Brown departing, Florida needed a third string QB and Millen is as decent of one the Gators were reasonably going to get.
But if Millen is playing any meaningful minutes in 2024, it means Graham Mertz is hurt and either DJ Lagway is also hurt or just isn't ready.
We shudder to think of that scenario.
#9 George Gumbs
- DE Northern Illinois
There is reason to believe that Gumbs could evolve into an All-SEC defensive lineman given his journey so far. The one time wide receiver was 180 pounds coming out of high school. He now stands at 6'4" and 240 pounds.
So in one breath it is with a grain of salt that his numbers at Northern Illinois were not eyepopping considering it was his first season ever playing defensive lineman.
But in another breath, he wasn't some monster for Northern Illinois, so what are the odds he makes a big enough leap to be one at Florida?
He is one to keep an eye on, but make no mistake that he is a project.
#8 Trikweze Bridges
- DB Oregon
This may seem harsh considering there was a decent amount of excitement when Bridges committed to Florida. And if the Gators get the 2022 version of Bridges, then yes there is reason for Gators to like this transfer.
But after taking 704 snaps in 2022, Bridges lost his starting job and only took 204 in 2023.
In 2022, Bridges allowed a reception on one out of every 14 passing plays he was on the field for.
In 2023, he allowed a reception on one out of every eight.
Combined with his missed tackle rate going up by 5% and there is reason for skepticism as to which version of Bridges the Gators will be getting.