Florida set to lose defensive starter to transfer portal, per report
By David Wasson
Published:
New Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall will definitely have his hands full recruiting transfer portal talent to Gainesville once he gets there, as the Gators lost another starter from 2025 to the portal on Thursday.
Florida sophomore defensive lineman Michai Boireau announced his intention to hit the transfer portal, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. The 6-foot-5, 349-pound Atlanta native spent 2 seasons at Florida – recording 14 solo tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception.
Boireau started in all 9 games he appeared in during the 2025 season, accounting for 20 total tackles and both sacks. He also appeared on the SEC Academic Fall Honor Roll in 2024. Boireau’s 2023 freshman season saw him play in 12 games as a reserve with 15 total tackles.
A coveted defensive lineman out of Creekside High School, Boireau initially chose Florida over Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. He will join fellow Gators like quarterback DJ Lagway, safety Jordal Castell, running back KD Daniels and wide receiver Aidan Mizell in the portal when it opens Jan. 2, 2026. Various outlets list Florida with as many as 15 players set to hit the portal.
Sumrall coaches 11-seed Tulane in its first College Football Playoff appearance Saturday when the Green Wave take on 6-seed Ole Miss in a first-round game in Oxford, Miss. (3:30 pm ET, TNT).
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.
