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Jayden Woods Withdraws From Portal, Recommits to Florida for 2026

A personal visit by Jon Sumrall with top assistants sealed the decision.

Overview

  • Woods announced on Instagram that he has withdrawn from the NCAA transfer portal and will remain with the Gators for the upcoming season.
  • Sumrall, defensive coordinator Brad White and linebackers coach Bam Hardmon flew to Woods' home in Kansas earlier this week for a meeting reported as pivotal.
  • The decision completes Sumrall and GM Dave Caldwell's targeted retention list, joining Vernell Brown III, Jadan Baugh, Myles Graham and Dallas Wilson.
  • As a freshman, Woods logged 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery, earning Freshman All-SEC and PFF All-Freshman honors and becoming the first Florida true freshman since 1992 to lead or co-lead in sacks.
  • Woods had drawn outside interest after entering the portal on Jan. 2 and was rated among the top players available by some outlets, and he is now expected to anchor Florida's pass rush in Brad White's 3-4 scheme after the team finished with 26 sacks in 2025.