Report: Gators need to target two players via the transfer portal.

Trey Moore of Texas-San Antonio and AJ Green of Arkansas should be Florida football’s top targets in a crowded 2024 transfer portal.

The Florida Gators are one team that ought to be using the transfer portal to reload and retool, as are other teams. The Gators had a dismal 5-7 record at the end of 2023 and failed to qualify for a bowl game. That is totally unacceptable for a programme that has won numerous national awards.

With over 3,000 players having already registered, the transfer portal presents an excellent opportunity for the Gators to reorganise their roster. The next question is, who should Florida football target in the portal to help them get back into the running?

Edge rusher is one position on the field that the Gators will need to look up in the transfer portal. This is due to Princely Umanmielen, Florida’s top pass rusher, being in the portal himself.

With seven sacks this season and 4.5 sacks the year before, Umanmielen led the team in sacks. In 2023, none of his teammates was able to record more than 2.5 sacks. Umanmielen’s 39 total tackles for the season tied him for fourth place on the team. The loss of  Umanmielen would be devastating to Florida’s defence because he is a complete player.

Maybe UTSA’s Trey Moore, who is regarded as the best pass rusher in the portal, can take his place for the Gastors. These days, Moore is quite busy in the portal. Pete Nakos of On3 Sports reports that he will be visiting Alabama this coming weekend. In addition, Moore cancelled a visit with Ohio State, according to Nakos, so maybe Florida isn’t really a contender after all.

After Louisiana transfer Montrell Johnson a few years prior, Etienne led the team in rushing yards. However, Etienne was a more effective receiver and runner than Johnson. Johnson is still eligible for next season, so maybe Etienne is trying to find a role where he can take the lead. Even if that were the case, Florida would still require a back to partially relieve Johnson of his workload.

Let’s welcome AJ Green. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who declared his intention to transfer to the University of South Carolina, is the best running back to enter the transfer portal from the University of Arkansas, but Green has been a very reliable change-of-pace back for the Hogs over the past two seasons. The Gators should be familiar with his style of play, as Green scored a touchdown in Arkansas’ 34-32 victory over the Gators in the previous season.

During his three seasons at Arkansas, Green averaged just 4.7 yards per carry but a very respectable 9.7 yards per reception. In open space, where Arkansas didn’t use him as much this past season, he is dynamic and elusive. They should look at Green in the portal as he would be a fantastic fit in Florida’s offence.