Florida freshman offensive lineman [autotag]Mike Williams[/autotag] announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Monday.
“To Coach Nap (Billy Napier), Coach (Rob) Sale, and the University of Florida staff, thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams of playing football and for all you have done for me over the past year,” he wrote on Twitter.
“To Gator Nation, thank you for your unwavering support and for making me feel so welcomed. This place and you all will forever hold a special place in my heart. To my teammates, the brotherhood we’ve built is unmatched, and I’ve found lifelong friends here. With that being said, I am entering the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining.”
Williams signed with the Gators as a member of the class of 2024 out of Charles Herbert Flowers High in Baltimore, Maryland. He did not see action in his lone year with the program. 247Sports graded him out as a three-star recruit, ranked No. 1,306 overall and No. 103 among offensive tackles, while On3 had him at Nos. 1,083 and 75, respectively.
Head coach Billy Napier spoke highly of Williams on early signing day last year, noting a high football IQ and overall “presence.” Williams has four years of eligibility remaining.
Williams is the sixth Gator to announce a transfer decision following walk-on safety Ahmad Covington, edge defenders Justus Boone, Bryce Capers (walk-on) and Quincy Ivory (JUCO transfer, 2023) and wide receiver Andy Jean.
Florida’s options at offensive tackle in 2025
Florida’s offensive tackle situation will be one to monitor over the offseason with starting left tackle Austin Barber possibly leaving for the NFL draft and starting right tackle and San Diego State transfer Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson out of eligibility.
Barber, a redshirt junior this season, has one more year of eligibility remaining and could opt to stay with the program to anchor the offensive line for another year.
Backup tackle Devon Manuel also has another year of eligibility, but Florida may opt to add someone from the transfer portal rather than elevate him to a starting role.
Redshirt freshman Caden Jones (17) and true freshman Fletcher Westphal (12) also got snaps at tackle this year. Redshirt junior Kamryn Waites and redshirt freshman Bryce Lovett were used at guard this season but could shift out to tackle if needed for depth.
The Gators are set to add a pair of freshmen offensive tackles to the roster come early signing day, four-star Tavaris Dice and three-star Jahari Medlock.
Walk-ons Mark Faircloth and Mark Pitts both saw action in blowout games this season.
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