The Florida Gators have made improving their front seven on the defensive end of the ball a priority going into the upcoming year. Through the NCAA Transfer Portal and their 2024 recruiting class, Florida has already addressed some of those needs. Florida added two players as soon as the
‘Contact Period’ for transfer players opened on January 3rd, as the edge position has been an area where the transfer portal has yet to provide adequate attention.
George Gumbs, a former edge player from Northern Illinois who had committed to Cincinnati before his trip to Florida on Wednesday and Thursday, was one of those names. But the Gators reversed his verbal promise once he left The Swamp. On Thursday, he marks the Gators’ second portal commitment of the day.
While recruiting is always a collective effort with the Gators staff, outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson was a big point of contact here. The main explanation is that I love relationships. Gumbs stated. If only I could make eye contact with folks. Why not right here? This place has so much potential for me to continue growing and optimising. That seems like one of the most important things to me.”
Gumbs is coming off a productive season in which he recorded 32 total tackles, including 6.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He entered his name into the transfer portal on December 12th, and made a quick turnaround with his commitment to Cincinnati on December 16th. Upon his entry into the transfer portal, the Gators had been in touch with Gumbs. Florida is closing in on the start of their spring semester, with the first day of classes taking place on January 8th.
