Florida DL Will Norman to Enter Transfer Portal

Defensive lineman Will Norman is leaving the Gators following one season at Florida.

Photo: Florida defensive lineman Will Norman; Credit: Alex Shepherd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida freshman defensive lineman Will Norman intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal following one season with the Gators, All Gators can confirm. 247Sports was first to report Norman's imminent departure from UF.

Norman was not with the team for its regular season finale, when Florida hosted No. 5 Florida State on Saturday, following the passing of his mother, Lydia.

A native of Camden, N.J., Norman committed to the Gators in the 2023 recruiting cycle over 24 other scholarship offers, following a prep playing career split between his home state and a stint at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy. Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas A&M were among Norman's other suitors as a recruit.

The 247Sports composite rankings considered Norman to be the No. 23 defensive lineman and No. 195 overall prospect in his class. 

Norman earned a redshirt following his lone season with the Gators, having only appeared in the first four games of Florida's season. He made one tackle over eight defense snaps vs. McNeese State in Week 2, and logged a combined 17 special teams snaps in those matchups. 

An undergraduate student who has yet to complete his freshman year, Norman will be eligible to officially enter the transfer portal during its winter opening between Dec. 4, 2023, and Jan. 2, 2024. 

At least five other members of Florida's 2023 roster will join him. Cornerback Jadarrius Perkins entered the portal as a graduate student following Week 2, offensive tackle Jordan Herman unofficially left the team after Week 11, tight end Jonathan Odom and kicker Adam Mihalek revealed their plans to transfer on Sunday, and safety Kamari Wilson's intentions to depart were reported on Wednesday. 

This is a breaking story that will be updated as further details emerge. 

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