One of the biggest offseason needs for Florida football was the wide receiver position, and helping them fill that need was J. Michael Sturdivant, a notable wide receiver from UCLA who declared for the transfer portal on Dec. 10.
Sturdivant brought a robust collegiate track record from his time at both Cal and UCLA, totaling 123 catches, 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pound receiver’s physical attributes and proven ability to make significant plays downfield made him an attractive target for the Gators.
As Sturdivant integrates into his new team, the Gators look forward to his contribution as a dynamic playmaker capable of stretching the defense and adding a new layer of threat to their aerial attack commanded by star quarterback DJ Lagway.
Head coach Billy Napier spoke with Swamp247 about Sturdivant and this is everything he had to say about the transfer receiver.
Napier gives breakdown on Sturdivant
“J. Mike (Sturdivant) is 6-feet-2-inches and a quarter, 204 (pounds), you know, he’s 1,500 yards in his career. 10.3 (seconds) 800-meter guy, you know, so elite speed. Very smart, very mature, great family, you know, kind of a draft or go play one more year guy, you know, a lot of good grades out there from the NFL people, and yeah, just think it worked out well.”
Sturdivant’s connections with Florida’s personnel
“There was a relationship there with Graham (Mertz), actually. Where they were neighbors in high school (when Sturdivant lived in Kansas), although he ended up moving to Dallas, when he was there, right across the river from Graham for a little bit. So, you know, that was the common connection.
“Coach (Margin) Hooks in Dallas, you know, obviously had trained him. So, yeah, just ended up working out. (Thomas) Fletcher, our graduate assistant special teams (coach), was at UCLA there for a small amount of time, and had been on the grass with him, kind of validated the high level athleticism that we thought we saw. And…
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