The Florida Gators are still looking to add a receiver through the transfer portal to finalize their 2024 roster. Gator Country can confirm that Arizona State’s Elijhah Badger is set to take an official visit to Florida on May 14th.
In his last two seasons with the Sun Devils, Badger combined for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns on 135 catches, establishing himself as the clear-cut No.1 option in Kenny Dillingham’s offense. The 6’2, 190-pound receiver totaled 199 targets during this span, leading ASU in targets by 45+ in 2022 and 2023.
Pro Football Focus gave Badger an offensive grade of 76.7 in 2023, which ranks first amongst Sun Devils’ receivers and first on their offense among anyone with 150+ snaps. Badger graded out as the 61st best WR in the FBS among eligible receivers in 2023, according to PFF. A similar story in 2022, where Badger posted an offensive grade of 76.1, ranking first amongst ASU wide receivers and third on the offense.
Continuity at the quarterback position has been pretty much nonexistent for the Sun Devils over the last two seasons having relied on six different quarterbacks during that span (four in 2023), making Badger’s high level of production even more impressive.
The Sacramento native has the ability to line up at multiple positions at receiver, logging 66% of his snaps out wide and 34% in the slot in 2023. This versatility is something the Gators’ staff finds valuable. If Florida is Badger’s destination, I would expect him to play outside the majority of the time as the Gators feel good with Chimere Dike and Eugene Wilson at slot. All three of those guys can play in the slot or out wide, however.
Badger’s long strides make him deceptively fast and a threat to get behind opposing defenses. His hands are above average, dropping just two passes on 99 targets in 2023. The 6’2 receiver has combined for 16 contested contests in his last two seasons, leading Arizona State in that category both seasons.
Badger improved dramatically in yards after the catch in 2023, raising his YAC per reception from 4.9 to 8.4, totaling 546 YAC yards a year ago. Badger also saw a slight increase in snaps in the slot and was utilized significantly more in the screen game, likely due to the number of quarterback injuries Arizona State had in 2023. Badger caught 38 passes behind the LOS, resulting in 227 yards for an average of nearly six yards per catch. Badger is a threat in all three levels of the defense.
Badger has already visited Washington and is reportedly set to visit Florida and Arizona. The senior receiver has one year of eligibility remaining.
The Gators have found success with transfer receivers from Arizona State in the past having landed Ricky Pearsall in 2022, who just got selected in the first round of the NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers.