George Gumbs has committed to Florida, filling a need for the Gators at DE. (Photo via Northern Illinois University Athletics department)
The Gators have picked up their second portal addition of the day.
Former Northern Illinois defensive end George Gumbs has committed to finish his college career at Florida. The move marks a “flip” (if you can call it that with someone in the transfer portal) from Cincinnati. Gumbs joins fellow defensive prospect Grayson “Pup” Howard in committing to Florida on the fourth day of 2024.
After a strong 2023 season at Northern Illinois, featuring 3.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles, George Gumbs entered the transfer portal on December 12. Four days later, he committed to Cincinnati. But Florida coaches– specifically, linebackers coach Mike Peterson– kept up the lines of communication, and eventually persuaded Gumbs to flip.
Gumbs will fill a critical need for the Gators on the outside of the defensive line. Florida received various levels of production from its defensive linemen a year ago, but the Gators could never consistently apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks or set the edge. This served as one of various contributing factors to a defense that finished 70th in the FBS in terms of yards allowed per game.
And the flip of Gumbs is made all the more important by the Gators’ losses in their 2024 recruiting class. Florida had a pair of strong defensive ends committed in Jamonta Waller andd Amaris Williams, but both flipped toward the end of the cycle and left the Gators empty-handed there. That forced Napier to truly attack the portal for their replacements, and he’s begun that process today with George Gumbs.
Florida may not be done in the portal at the defensive end position, either. The Gators are still in play for Bowling Green transfer Cashius Howell.
