The Florida Gators have found great success with transfer portal receivers under Billy Napier. First it was Ricky Pearsall, who ended up a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Then it was Chimere Dike and Elijhah Badger, who led the Gators in receiving with a combined 1,589 yards.
With Dike and Badger moving on, the Gators needed to make a splash in the portal.
Enter J.Michael Sturdivant, a 6’3, 213-pound receiver that clocked 23 MPH this offseason. There’s enough from an athleticism standpoint to warrant a big season for Sturdivant, but he’s more than just a great athlete. Sturdivant was named a First-Team Freshman All-American back in the 2022 with Cal. He led all FBS Freshmen in receptions (65), receptions per game (5.4), and receiving yards (755). He also tied for the most touchdowns by a freshman with seven.
Sturdivant’s production steadily declined in two seasons at UCLA, largely due to their mess at the quarterback position. However, you still saw his unique skillset on display. The ability to track the football and make contested catches is a special trait that will fit in quite nicely with DJ Lagway’s strengths. Sturdivant also has more run after the catch ability then he’s given credit for, which allows Florida to utilize him in different ways.
Back in spring camp, nobody really had any idea how the wide receiver room would shake out. There are probably eight guys deserving of playing time in 2025. While we still don’t know how the rotation will play out down the stretch, it’s become clear that Sturdivant will be a top option in Florida’s offense this season.
“His practice habits, his skillset. I think he’s a matchup player. I think we’ll build around him each week,” Napier said on Sturdivant. “I’ve been very impressed. I think he’s mature, he’s big, he’s fast, and I think he’s got good football intelligence. I think he’s improved as a player since he’s gotten here. (Billy Gonzales) G does a great job with those guys, and I think we’ll move him around and try to create as many opportunities as we can for him.”
I’ve covered Napier’s entire tenure at Florida, and rarely does he talk about building around a player. The only one I can remember is Eugene Wilson III, who was practically an immediate starter in Gainesville.
Sturdivant wasn’t the only player Napier said would be a significant contributor in 2025. Freshman receiver Dallas Wilson, who will likely miss Florida’s week one contest with a lower body injury, is somebody to watch out for too.
“He’s a problem. He’s exceptional,” Napier said on Wilson. “He’ll be a major factor this year. So we’re excited about Dallas for sure.”
It seems like everywhere you look at wide receiver, Florida has play makers with high ceilings. And that is a great problem to have.
“We’ve got some others that teams will have trouble guarding as well,” Napier said.
I’m picking Sturdivant to lead Florida in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025. His skillset pairs perfectly with Lagway’s ability to accurately throw the deep ball.
“He’s got a great deep ball, and I got a lot of speed and I love to make the big plays, so I feel like that’s like a match made in heaven,” Sturdivant said on playing with Lagway. “So I’m very excited to be able to go out and help DJ elevate, help this team make a lot of explosive plays.”