Tag: Titus Bullard

Florida sophomore EDGE TJ Searcy to enter transfer portal

The edge defender exodus in Gainesville continued on Tuesday with TJ Searcy’s transfer portal announcement.

Sophomore edge defender [autotag]TJ Searcy[/autotag] is the latest Florida Gator to announce his departure from the program and enter the transfer portal.

“After much prayer and great consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal,” Searcy said in a written statement posted to social media. “I’m excited for the next chapter of my journey and look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

Searcy played the third-most snaps (362) among Florida edge defenders this season, earning a 70.0 overall grade on defense from Pro Football Focus. He was Florida’s best edge defender in coverage (77.9), according to PFF.

A consensus four-star recruit out of high school, Searcy signed with Florida as a member of the class of 2023 and played in all 12 games as a true freshman. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors and ended his time in Gainesville with 60 total tackles (29 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Florida’s options at EDGE in 2025

Searcy is the sixth edge defender from Florida to leave the program for the transfer portal, following [autotag]Justus Boone[/autotag], [autotag]Bryce Capers[/autotag] (walk-on), [autotag]Kelby Collins[/autotag], [autotag]Quincy Ivory[/autotag] and [autotag]Jack Pyburn[/autotag].

Those departures may indicate that veteran edge defenders George Gumbs Jr. and Tyreak Sapp intend to return, although neither has officially announced a decision. Behind those two are Kamran James and LJ McCray, and Florida is adding four-star recruit Jayden Woods to the position room.

The only scholarship loss from this group through graduation is specialist [autotag]Ja’Markis Weston[/autotag]. Walk-on [autotag]Tyreik Norwood[/autotag] also concluded his eligibility.

Walk-ons [autotag]Titus Bullard[/autotag], [autotag]Charles Emanuel III[/autotag] and [autotag]Layne Swafford[/autotag] could also return.

There’s also a chance Florida will be active in the edge defender market during the winter transfer period. Amaris Williams, a former five-star recruit and Florida commit, is leaving Auburn and is a priority target.

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Florida football lands commitment from legacy EDGE

Florida just landed a commitment from legacy defensive lineman Titus Bullard, the son of Thaddeus Bullard, better known as WWE’s Titus O’Neil.

Berkeley Prep (Tampa) defensive end [autotag]Titus Bullard[/autotag], the son of WWE ambassador and former Florida defensive lineman Thaddeus Bullard (better known as Titus O’Neil), has committed to the Gators.

Bullard committed to the Orange and Blue as a preferred walk-on in the 2024 class on Tuesday. He posted a graphic to social media to break the news.

“Thanks to my coaches, teammates and fam,” Bullard began the rhyme “Helped me become the person I am. All Glory to God, He is major. Thanks to him, I am now a Florida Gator.”

Bullard will play off the edge for the Gators. He’s listed at 6-foot-3-inches and 215 pounds. He recorded 69 total tackles (57 solo), 22 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a senior. He helped the Buccaneers to a Class 2M state title in Florida.

Bullard received offers from Group of Five programs, but he opted to follow in his father’s footsteps without a scholarship. His older brother, TJ, plays for the UCF Knights, so the brothers will be against each other in some capacity when Florida hosts UCF later on this year.

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