Florida adds productive DL transfer from Southern Miss
By David Wasson
Published:
The Florida Gators continue to rebuild their roster out of the transfer portal, reportedly adding former Southern Miss defensive lineman Mason Clinton.
On3 reported Sunday that Clinton committed to new Florida coach Jon Sumrall after visiting Baylor. Clinton, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, was also set to visit Oregon. Clinton’s addition now gives the Gators three transfer commitments on the defensive line.
Clinton signed with Louisiana-Lafayette in the 2023 class and appeared in just one game in his true freshman season before taking a redshirt. Clinton went the JUCO route for the 2024 season, playing at East Mississippi before signing with Mississippi State in December 2024 – only to enter the portal that spring and ultimately land at Southern Miss.
He finished the 2025 campaign with 16 tackles, including 1½ tackles for loss, and a pass deflection.
Clinton marks the 26th transfer portal addition in the current cycle. The Gators saw 34 players depart the squad following a disastrous 4-8 season in 2025 that including the firing of Billy Napier.
Florida replaced Napier with Sumrall, who coached Tulane to its first College Football Playoff berth and has gone 43-12 in the past four seasons at both Tulane and Troy.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
