Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun

Florida Gators secure huge transfer portal commitment to give DJ Lagway a much-needed weapon

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated Dec 20, 2024 11:05 AM ET

Going into the offseason, the Florida Gators looked like the desirable place to go for players in the transfer portal. They finished the season on fire, and true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway showed himself to be a superstar and the next great quarterback in college football.

Early on in the transfer portal window, the Gators weren't doing well, but things have heated up over the last few days, including the soon-to-be commitment from five-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson once he is released from his financial aid agreement.

Late on Thursday night, the Gators got their next "Pac 12" receiver in the transfer portal with a commitment from UCLA's J. Michael Sturdivant.

BREAKING: UCLA transfer WR J.Michael Sturdivant has Committed to Florida, he tells @on3sports

The 6’3 205 WR totaled 123 Receptions for 1,667 Yards, & 13 TDs (3 seasons)

1 year of eligibility remaininghttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/zikJECatIU
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 20, 2024

Yes, UCLA is now in the Big Ten, but they were in the Pac 12 just last season and Sturdivant has played at two Pac 12 schools with him being at Cal for two years before playing for the Bruins over the last two. The Gators had a ton of luck with wide receivers Ricky Pearsall who was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and Elijah Badger, both from Arizona State.

Sturdivant will be a fifth-year senior after being a four-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class. A traditional X-receiver at 6-3, 200 lbs, Sturdivant will provide a really nice complement to Trey Wilson, who will be used as a Z/slot in Billy Napier's offense.

Through three seasons, Sturdivant has 123 catches for 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns. The one interesting element is that half of his production came two years ago at Cal in 2022. His production at UCLA did not match his talent level and the move to Gainesville will hopefully change that.

The Gators are going to be fascinating to watch this season and Sturdivant could be in for a breakout year.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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