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Florida adds veteran WR out of transfer portal on the heels of Cormani McClain addition
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Florida is in a unique roster crunch this spring. However, it has not deterred the Gators from adding players out of the transfer portal.
The Gators recently hit their limit of 85 scholarship players when they added offensive lineman Jason Zandamela. However, the Gators did not stand by when former 5-star prospect and Florida native Cormani McClain became available.
According to reports, McClain was being targeted by Billy Napier’s program as a walk-on player. Such a move is expected to be possible due to the usage of NIL with Florida at its scholarship limit.
On Friday, Florida struck again for another player with former Arizona State wide receiver Elijhah Badger committing to the Gators. Badger is a veteran with 4 years of experience and was among the best receivers currently available.
BREAKING: Former Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger has Committed to Florida, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 190 WR totaled 142 Receptions for 1,640 Yards & 10 TDs in his time at ASU
Was the Top Available WR in the Portal (per On3)https://t.co/sGvFUAOAkW pic.twitter.com/EaePJpGQeo
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 17, 2024
Impact for Florida
Billy Napier’s program has hit the transfer portal hard this offseason, utilizing the portal to reload with some key pieces. Along with Badger, the Gators also added former Wisconsin WR Chimere Dike (a player with experience playing with Graham Mertz) in a transfer class that is ranked 5th nationally per 247 Sports.
Those two will be asked to play a large role this season with Florida losing Ricky Pearsall, the team’s leading receiver a year ago at 965 yards, to the NFL Draft.
As for Badger, he has over 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns across the 2022-23 seasons, including a career-high 866 yards in 2022. He also served as a kick returner in 2023 with 578 yards and a 28.9 average.
Regardless of how he wound up at Florida, Badger should be a plug-and-play contributor with big-time potential for the Gators.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
