Blog

The Florida Gators currently hold the No. 14 transfer class ranking according to On3 Sports and are looking to climb higher by targeting a player from a rival program. On3’s Pete Nakos provided an update on several transfers, including former Miami Hurricanes safety Zaquan Patterson. Florida has been aggressively recruiting Patterson, with Nakos noting that the Gators have made him a “top priority.

” Last season, Patterson appeared in 13 games for Miami, tallying 19 tackles and three pass breakups, though he only started once and struggled to secure consistent playing time. A member of Miami’s 2024 recruiting class, Patterson was a four-star prospect and is now ranked as the No. 17 safety in the On3 Transfer Portal Industry Rankings.

“Florida is ramping up its intensity to land Zaquan Patterson, who has visited both Gainesville and Ole Miss,” Nakos reported. “The Gators continue to stress to Patterson that he is a top priority.” In addition to his visit to Florida on Wednesday, Patterson has visited Ole Miss, and Oklahoma State is working to arrange a trip.

Tennessee also showed interest and attempted to schedule a visit, but it didn’t materialize. So far, Florida has added several key players from the portal, including defensive lineman Brendan Bett (Baylor), wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (UCLA), edge rusher Kofi Asare (UMass), safety Michael Caraway Jr. (Southern Miss), quarterback Harrison Bailey (Louisville), and punter Tommy Doman (Michigan).

The Gators’ 2025 recruiting class is headlined by five-star receiver Vernell Brown III, four-star cornerback Ben Hanks III, and four-star receiver Dallas Wilson. Florida will kick off the 2025 season against Long Island University on August 30.