Report: Recent Transfer OL Kiyaunta Goodwin No Longer With Gators

Offensive tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin, who transferred to Florida in January, is reportedly no longer with the Gators.

Florida sophomore offensive lineman Kiyaunta Goodwin has departed from the program and returned to his hometown of Louisville, Ky., according to Jacob Rudner of 247Sports. 

Per Rudner's reporting, Goodwin — who transferred to Florida from Kentucky in January — is moving to reunite with his mother, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, and plans to continue his football career at a school closer to home. He intends to apply for a hardship waiver from the NCAA and enter the transfer portal. 

Goodwin's departure serves as a critical blow to Florida's recently-reconstructed offensive line, just before the 2023 season kicks off.

The 6-foot-8, 355-pound Goodwin was one of three offensive linemen to join the Gators during the NCAA's winter transfer portal period, following a one-campaign stint with his home-state Wildcats. 

He signed with Kentucky in the class of 2022 as a borderline four-to-five-star recruit, regarded then as the No. 6 offensive tackle and No. 38 overall prospect in the country by the 247Sports composite rankings. 

Goodwin struggled to crack Kentucky's offensive line rotation despite his recruiting status and lack of a redshirt year, however. He appeared in 11 games as a freshman but primarily in a special teams role, only taking the field offensively against Miami (Ohio) in Week 1 and Youngstown State in Week 3 for a total of three snaps.

Goodwin entered the portal on Dec. 16, 2022, and signed with Florida on Jan. 25, following UF's transfer acquisitions of former Baylor guard Micah Mazzccua and former Alabama offensive tackle Damieon George Jr. Additionally, former Florida International tackle Lyndell Hudson Jr. transferred to UF in May.

Goodwin was expected to compete for Florida's starting right tackle position with George and Hudson during UF's upcoming fall training camp, having impressed the coaching staff already with his physical profile during spring camp. 

“You know, his length and size, right? It's hard to find those guys, you gotta get them," Florida offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Rob Sale said of Goodwin in March. 

"Everybody's working hard in recruiting to get them, to get them on your team, especially guys like him, so he's long. He's played left [tackle], he can play right, so it’s good to have guys like that. That’s what we need to get, more of them.” 

Goodwin's exit leaves Florida's 2023 scholarship roster at 82 members, although East Los Angeles College (JUCO) transfer edge rusher Quincy Ivory is expected to enroll at the university and join the program before the season begins. 

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