Florida Gators redshirt junior running back [autotag]Lorenzo Lingard[/autotag] has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Because he graduated from Florida this year, Lingard is eligible to enter the portal at any time as a graduate student.
A former five-star recruit, Lingard, an Orange City, FL native, was a part of Miami’s 2018 recruiting class. He enrolled early in the spring of 2018 and spent two seasons as a Miami Hurricane. As a true freshman in 2018, the former No. 25 overall player in the nation had 17 rushes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
He played in two games in 2019 before his season ended due to a leg injury. He played in six games across both seasons before transferring to Florida ahead of the 2020 season.
Lingard’s transfer came before the one-time “free” transfer rule came into effect in ahead of the 2021 season, meaning he had to apply for a waiver to be immediately eligible — which is exactly what happened.
Thank you for everything UF ✅
— Lorenzo Lingard JR (@d1champ99) December 1, 2022
Lingard’s time in Gainesville was not as fruitful as he would have expected. In 2020 and 2021, he played in 22 games and recorded just 16 rushes for 75 yards and no touchdowns. In 2022, he appeared in ten games (mostly on special teams) and had just 10 rushes for 75 yards and one touchdown.
Lingard’s departure is one of many that the Gators will see this offseason, as Florida is expected to be active in the transfer portal. That isn’t a surprise, as Napier tries to shape the roster in his image.
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