Napier Touts Explosive Potential: J. Michael Sturdivant Brings Speed, Size to Gators’ Receiving Corps

by | Feb 4, 2025 | 0 comments

The Florida Gators are facing a significant change in their receiving corps as they lose their top two wide receivers from the 2024 season. Both Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike are heading to the NFL, leaving big shoes to fill in terms of explosive plays. Badger was particularly impactful, averaging 20.7 yards per catch (5th in FBS) and 67.2 yards per game (tied for 8th in SEC), while Dike averaged an impressive 18.6 yards per catch (17th in FBS).

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To address this gap, the Gators have secured J. Michael Sturdivant from UCLA through the transfer portal. Head coach Billy Napier speaks highly of their new acquisition on a recent episode of Gators Breakdown: “J. Mike Sturdivant, I think he’s a traitsy player that’s had a ton of production, close to 1,500 yards receiving. He’s 6-2 and a quarter, he weighs 204 pounds, he’s a 10.38 100-meter guy and is a very impressive, mature player.”

Sturdivant brings significant experience to the team, having appeared in 40 total games with 30 starts during his college career. His consistency is evident in a streak of 26 consecutive games with a reception, spanning from his time at Cal through his first week at UCLA. Before joining UCLA, he had an impressive season with Cal, accumulating 755 yards and seven touchdowns. At UCLA, he continued to perform well over two seasons, totaling 912 yards and six touchdowns, including 597 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.



Napier explains the strategic thinking behind bringing in Sturdivant: “With K-Jack (Kahleil Jackson) getting injured and then the makeup of that room, you know, J-Mike is a bigger guy. We felt like we wanted to add some guys that had some height, length, some catch radius, some rangy players, and he fit into that category.” The coach adds, “The allure of playing with DJ (Lagway) and the skill set there, the vertical threat with DJ’s arm talent, I think married up. I’m excited about what I’ve seen so far from him.”

The Gators have shown success with transfer portal receivers in the past, as evidenced by the contributions of Ricky Pearsall, Badger, and Dike. Looking ahead, Napier is optimistic about the receiving corps: “I think just the position production, the history, if you really evaluate the offense as a whole, we’ve consistently been able to produce at receiver. We get Tre (Wilson) back. Some of these young players are growing up… the Mizells (Aidan Mizell), the Tank Hawkins, the T.J. Abrams… Here comes VB3 (Vernell Brown III), Naeshaun Montgomery. So, I’m excited about the playmaking ability of that group to go with DJ (Lagway). I think if we can have some balance there, I think that’ll help us be explosive.”

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