The Florida Gators are one of the finalists for an explosive wide receiver in the transfer portal.
The Florida Gators have lost seven wide receivers to the transfer portal this winter, so they definitely need to add some more pieces at the position.
Florida has already secured commitments from Bailey Stockton and Micah Mays Jr., but new head coach Jon Sumrall is still pursuing other options.
On that note, the Gators appear to be closing in on former Old Dominion wide receiver Ja'Cory Thomas, who has listed Florida among four finalists in the portal. Arkansas, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt represent the other three.
Thomas had a fantastic year at Old Dominion in 2025, hauling in 41 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns. That was good for a robust average of 17.5 yards per catch.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound weapon is a three-star transfer who began his collegiate career playing JUCO ball before arriving at Old Dominion as a junior last year.
Initially a two-star recruit, Thomas has performed well beyond expectations and is now a legitimate target for some big-name schools.
The Gators do have Vernell Brown III, who put together a very impressive freshman campaign in 2025, at receiver, but outside of Brown, the cupboard is rather bare in terms of proven talent.
Florida has landed a couple of four-star recruits for 2026, bagging Davian Groce and 6-foot-5 playmaker Marquez Daniel. But obviously, the Gators need to add more weapons.
Neither Stockton nor Mays have produced all that much thus far, but both players do have potential entering their respective junior campaigns.
Florida went just 4-8 this past season and fired Billy Napier during the middle of the campaign. The Gators proceeded to land Sumrall in late November.
Ja'Cory Thomas. Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images.Sumrall had previously split four years between Troy and Tulane, going 43-12. His best season came at Tulane this year, when he led the Green Wave to an 11-3 record and a College Football Playoff appearance, where they lost to Ole Miss.
The Gators have posted four losing campaigns over the last five seasons, so Sumrall has his work cut out for him when it comes to turning around the program.
We'll see if Sumrall is able to experience a great deal of success during his debut campaign in Gainesville next season.