Freshman standout edge rusher Jayden Woods is expected to withdraw his name from the transfer portal and return to Florida for the 2026 season, Gator Country confirms. Woods ranked as the 11th overall player in the transfer portal and the fourth edge rusher.
Woods announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on December 29th. Despite the disappointing news, Florida’s staff continued to actively pursue him.
Gator Country was first to report that Florida head coach Jon Sumrall and staff were flying out to Kansas on Tuesday to meet with Jayden Woods and his family.
Woods took a visit to Texas on Friday, January 2nd while also receiving interest from Oregon, Texas A&M, Missouri, and Ohio State, among others.
With Florida winning out in the end, the Gators return a rising star at a premium position.
Woods filled up the stat sheet as a true freshman, recording 28 tackles, a team high 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Woods capped off the 2025 season with a sack against Tennessee and FSU, ending his freshman campaign on a strong note. The 6’3, 248-pound edge rusher earned Freshman All-SEC Honors for his efforts in 2025.
“Woods has a motor. That guy’s going every day in practice,” Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. said on Woods.
One of the first traits Florida’s staff noticed about Woods was his work ethic in the weight room. He quickly took over the strength records in the edge room, previously held by George Gumbs.
“The kid’s a hard worker. He has extreme work ethic,” Sapp said on Woods.
Head coach Jon Sumrall deserves major credit for prioritizing player retention since taking over. He wants to win in his first year, and that’s extremely difficult without keeping the talent already on the roster. And that’s easier said than done in the transfer portal era.