Florida edge Jayden Woods announces exit from transfer portal, return for 2026
By Luke Greco
Published:
Florida edge Jayden Woods has officially withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will return to play for Jon Sumrall and the Gators in 2026.
On Wednesday, Saturday Down South reported that Woods was expected to withdraw his name and return for the Gators. Thursday, that news was made official by Woods as he posted to X with a photo of himself and a caption that read, “Go Gators!”
Woods had originally entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2, but after a recent meeting with the new Florida staff, Woods became convinced that a return to Florida was the best move for himself.
In Wood’s true freshman season, he racked up 27 total tackles, 1 pass defended, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception. This is a huge keep for Sumrall and the Gators as he enters his first year as the head coach.
Coming out of high school, Woods was ranked as the #14 edge and #142 player nationally, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Woods’ return to Florida does mean that Sumrall managed to retain 5 of the Gators’ most productive players from the past season. It’s a great start for the new Gators HC and sets Florida up to bounce right back in the 2026 season.
