Florida football adds CB Jalen Kimber from Georgia, RB Montrell Johnson from Louisiana

Football

0

Image Credit: Benjamin R. Massey / Louisiana

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier on Friday said it was likely the program would add a few players to its roster via the transfer portal over the following 7-10 days. Florida did just that Saturday when Georgia cornerback Jalen Kimber (Mansfield, TX) announced via Twitter that he has decided to join the Gators.

Kimber (6-foot, 170 pounds) played in just four games over two years for the Bulldogs but may have seen more action in 2021 had he not suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 2 against UAB. A four-star prospect who was rated as the No. 105 overall player in the Class of 2020, according to the 247Sports Composite, he will have three years of eligibility remaining. Kimber entered the portal just three days prior to announcing his decision.

On Thursday, Florida added a more familiar player to Napier and some members of the coaching staff as Louisiana running back Montrell Johnson chose to continue his career in the orange and blue. Johnson, who ran for 838 yards and 12 touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry as a true freshman, was a three-star prospect in the Class of 2021 who will also have three years of eligibility left. He was named 2021 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.

With Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis both graduating and on their way to the NFL, the running back room will undergo a bit of a shakeup next season. Redshirt junior Nay’Quan Wright was the projected starter, but a broken leg suffered against Florida State and increasing numbers from incoming players will create competition at the position. The Gators also have two former five-star rushers in redshirt freshman Demarkcus Bowman and redshirt junior Lorenzo Lingard itching for playing time. Bowman in particular has an extremely high ceiling.

Florida has now added four key transfers with former Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller and former Louisiana offensive tackle Kamryn Waites previously signing.

Additionally, defensive linemen redshirt junior Dante Zanders and redshirt sophomore Lloyd Summerall III pulled their name out of the transfer portal, and redshirt junior QB Emory Jones never entered it. It is unknown what Jones plans to do ahead of the 2022 season.