Who Should the Gators Pursue in the Transfer Portal?

Taking a look at five transfer portal prospects that the Gators need to land to replenish a thin roster heading into the 2023 offseason.

There is newfound life for the Gators in the transfer portal.

Despite early inactivity that created questions surrounding the philosophy of using the portal to fill out the Florida roster, Billy Napier and Co. have the ball rolling in a big way where bringing in transfer talents is concerned.

Florida addressed its need on the interior defensive line by picking up Caleb Banks (Louisville) and Cam'Ron Jackson (Memphis) in the early stages of their portal activity. The acquisition of Ohio State linebacker transfer Teradja Mitchell, who is slated to fill a big need in the second level for Florida with just three off-ball linebackers returning from a season ago, followed soon thereafter.

As the winter portal period rolls on and spring semester add/drop quickly approaches at the University of Florida, the Gators have made it resoundingly clear that their intention to bring in bodies in the new age of free agency of college football is not over.

It's just getting started.

As a result, All Gators compiled a list of five available transfer portal targets at various positions of need that Florida should pursue and land before spring practices commence.

OL Micah Mazzccua - Baylor

The number one building block option for a reshaped Florida offensive line.

Following a year that brought fruitful returns from the Gators' investment in the offensive line, Florida is tasked with replacing a consensus All-American and three other starters up front in 2023.

Currently, Austin Barber — who saw considerable time throughout the year as a swing tackle in rotation and garnered starting action — is slated to take on the critical left tackle spot for Richard Gouraige. The center spot will likely be controlled once again by Kingsley Eguakun as he enters year three as a starter.

The other three spots are up for grabs for Florida. However, the Gators staff has its sights set on a guard with the potential to serve as a staple on the offensive line moving forward.

It's a good one.

The Gators' desire to replace All-American O'Cyrus Torrence runs through former Baylor guard Micah Mazzccua.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mazzccua ranked as the second-best guard in college football this past season as a pass protector, allowing just one sack, two hits, eight hurries and 11 pressures on the year.

He sits only behind Torrence, the man he'd replace in Gainesville.

Interestingly, his game's strength comes as a run blocker, given his explosive, powerful and mean downhill playing style. He's the perfect addition for an offensive line with immense turnover from a season ago to remain steady.

While he aligned as the left guard for Baylor, he possesses the talent to play on either side of the line, depending on the discretion of Florida's offensive line coaches.

As a player many believe to be one of the best offensive linemen in the nation, and one of the few who can assume the spot Torrence controlled so dominantly in his lone year at Florida, the Philadelphia native is currently viewed as a must-land.

Pinning down Mazzccua would give the Gators their second consecutive offseason victory, with an experienced, elite-level lineman joining the fold to propel an offense that rushes the ball at a high rate.

The Baylor transfer is officially visiting Gainesville from Friday to Sunday after making stops at Auburn and Nebraska throughout the week prior to his trek to Florida. Offensive line coaches Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton will do their best to make this stop his final destination as he commits on Jan. 8.

He has three years of eligibility remaining.

DB Al Walcott - Baylor

Another former Baylor Bear is joining the mix of Florida targets.

After seeing the departure of both starting safeties, Trey Dean III and Rashad Torrence II, starting STAR, Tre'Vez Johnson, and multiple reserves this offseason, the Gators are in need of depth and experience in the back end.

However, while options may be limited at this stage from a numbers perspective, Baylor safety transfer Al Walcott sticks out above the rest as a perfect fit to assume control of one or both roles for Florida in the upcoming campaign.

Playing in a similar defensive system at Baylor, Walcott shined in 2022 as he took over as the unit's STAR in replacement of now Houston Texans starter Jalen Pitre. He compiled 82 tackles, five pass breakups, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception in his 13 appearances in 2022.

Al Walcott playing Baylor’s STAR role has been special so far in 2022 pic.twitter.com/jljZ10Qgr2

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 1, 2022

His versatility presents safety coach and defensive coordinator Patrick Toney a luxury as he can bounce from his primary position — likely to be STAR — back deep in certain personnel packages.

He may only be one player, but he plugs multiple holes.

As a result, Florida is currently pushing hard for his services. He is visiting Gainesville this weekend and is another piece the Gators view as a versatile band-aid while reconstructing the entirety of a position group this offseason.

Walcott heads to his next destination as a one-year rental as a graduate transfer.

WR J. Michael Strudivant - Cal

The Gators' haul of wide receivers in the 2023 recruiting cycle helped replenish talent in a lackluster pass catcher's room of late.

However, with Ricky Pearsall's unknown commitment to the team as he mulls over a potential jump to the NFL Draft and Justin Shorter's confirmed departure, the Gators still need another piece in the room.

Given the familiarity of wide receivers coach Keary Colbert to the west coast from his time as a coach at USC, one recent portal entry stands out as a WR1 caliber talent to join the ranks in Gainesville in Cal's J. Michael Sturdivant.

He excelled as a redshirt freshman in 2022, grabbing 65 balls for 755 yards and seven touchdowns. That included a dominant performance against Washington as he accounted for eight receptions, 104 yards and two of the Golden Bears three scores in a 28-21 loss to the Huskies. 

His impact was noticeable on a bottom-half offense in the NCAA.

Standing at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Sturdivant possesses the size, length, speed and explosiveness to be a strong target in the future of the Gators' offense. He earned honors as a first-team freshman All-American by The Athletic as a result.

His services would provide Florida with a versatile option with the ability to play as a possession receiver and big-play threat, which currently lacks in the position room.

The Gators dipped into the Pac-12 to pull a wideout into Colbert's room last offseason, capitalizing on his west coast tied. Why wouldn't they do it again to pluck a high-caliber talent like Sturdivant from the open market?

Edge Gilber Edmond - South Carolina

When Brenton Cox Jr. was dismissed from the Gators squad following Florida's loss to Georgia this season, Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. stepped into the JACK edge rusher spot.

He assumed the role well, excelling with his opportunity to head into next season as the odds-on favorite to assume the full-time starting role.

However, with the departure of Cox midseason and Lloyd Summerall's decision to enter the transfer portal this offseason, the Gators are in dire need of a second option to serve in rotation with Powell-Ryland.

South Carolina edge transfer Gilbert Edmond presents just that.

In a limited role with the Gamecocks in 2022, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound edge rusher produced 39 tackles and two sacks. His ability not just as a pass rusher but as an edge setter gives the Gators the exact piece they're looking for on the outside.

Clip of Gilber Edmond. Understanding his assignment which is containing the outside. 🔥 play 8 pic.twitter.com/k9hel87B6A

— Nolehighlights (@Jaythealbum) January 5, 2023

Now, Florida looks to beat out in-state rival — and one of the hottest transfer portal teams on the market — Florida State for Edmond's services down the stretch as the Fort Pierce, Fla., native presumably returns to his home state to finish his collegiate career.

Outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson will be tasked with recruiting the former Gamecock to remain in the SEC by heading to Gainesville as he visits campus this weekend.

LB Deuce Spurlock - Michigan

As a former recruit of Billy Napier during his time at Louisiana-Lafayette, Deuce Spurlock is currently viewed as a needed addition to the thin off-ball linebacker spot.

After losing starters Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney due to expired eligibility this offseason — as well as the departure of Diwun Black — Florida is slated to enter next season with just three returning men from the 2022 LB group.

As a result, finding bodies at the position is imperative. Currently, Spurlock looks to be one of the top remaining linebacker prospects on the market. His experience being recruited by the staff and development under one of the best defensive teams in college football over the past several years make him fit to fill the spot.

Inside linebacker coach Jay Bateman and Co. view it similarly.

Despite entering the college ranks as a three-star prospect, Spurlock reshaped himself into a viable Big 10 linebacker despite just one season in Jim Harbaugh's program. He added nearly 25-30 pounds to his frame to fit the mold of second-level defenders the Wolverines have produced as of late.

He saw action in two games and totaled three tackles.

Spurlock's progression in one year in Ann Arbor bodes well for the Gators as they look for ready-now pieces to plug into the linebacker rotation this season.

Spurlock, who is visiting Florida from Jan. 8-10, is a familiar talent who presents that ability. The Gators hope to capitalize.

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.

Get your Gators football, basketball and other sporting events tickets from SI Tickets here.