After losing their top two receivers from the 2024 season in Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike, the Gators needed to add playmakers at receiver this offseason.
Enter UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant, who transferred to Florida with one year of eligibility remaining. Sturdivant’s best season came in 2022 with California, where the Texas native hauled in 65 catches for 755 yards and seven touchdowns, earning First Team Freshman All American selections from three different publications.
Sturdivant’s production steadily declined in his two seasons with UCLA. In 2023, Sturdivant caught 36 passes for 597 yards and four touchdowns. In 2024, he grabbed just 22 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns while missing one game due to injury.
UCLA’s offense didn’t do their wide receivers many favors during this two-year span. In 2023, the Bruins used four different quarterbacks, two of which threw 145+ passes on the season. In 2024, their starting quarterback Ethan Garbers tossed for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. UCLA’s leading receiver in 2024 was tight end Moliki Matavao, who recorded 506 yards. Their second most productive pass catcher was running back TJ Harden, who recorded 368 yards.
I say all that to say this. Don’t be discouraged by Sturdivant’s recent lack of production. The 6’3, 205-pound receiver is extremely talented and brings a skillset that will not only benefit himself, but the Gators’ offense with DJ Lagway as their quarterback.
Take a look at Sturdivant’s game this season against USC, where he caught five passes for 117 yards.
The Gators wanted a bigger, down the field threat in the portal to replace Elijhah Badger’s skillset. That’s exactly what Sturdivant brings to the table, perhaps with more upside due to his athletic ability.
Sturdivant has a background in track and field. During his senior season at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, Sturdivant competed in four events as a senior at the Texas 6A state track and field meet. He placed seventh in the long jump (22-10 1/4), eighth in the 200 meters (21.23, 1.8 wind), and ninth in the 100 meters (10.39, 5.7 wind aid). He also ran anchor for fifth-place 4×100 relay team. Sturdivant ran a non-wind-aided 10.49 100 and 20.99 at regionals in April 2021.
While this is far from a confirmed time, NFL Draft Buzz claims Sturdivant ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at UCLA and reached a max speed of 23.2 MPH. In 2023, Sturdivant made Bruce Feldman’s (The Athletic) ‘freak list’, coming in at No.79.
As an outside receiver, Sturdivant shows elite ability to track the ball and come down with contest catches. The 6’3, 205-pound receiver combined for 17 contested catches at an above 45% success rate over the last three seasons. To compare to a recent Gator with a similar role / skillset, Elijhah Badger had 23 during that span at around a 48% clip.
In 2023, Sturdivant was targeted 30 times over 20+ air yards. He received a route running grade of 94.7 on deep routes, according to Pro Football Focus. For some odd reason, Sturdivant was only targeted eight times over 20+ air yards despite having just as much, if not more success on deep routes.
Sturdivant does have run after the catch ability, but he hasn’t really been used in that way through three seasons at the collegiate level. He’s a big, athletic receiver that is tough to bring down in open space.
The rare blend of size and speed makes Sturdivant an intriguing NFL Draft prospect in 2025. He is someone that could shoot up the draft boards with a productive season in Orange and Blue. Sturdivant’s skillset should pair well with DJ Lagway’s ability to hit the deep ball with accuracy.