Florida landed a dedication from Arizona State switch extensive receiver Elijhah Badger on Friday, marking one other win within the portal for Billy Napier. Badger ranked as 247Sports’ high uncommitted offensive participant and was the No. 184 general switch participant out there this cycle.
Badger recorded 135 catches for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns within the final two seasons for the Solar Devils whereas main his crew in receptions (65), receiving yards (713), and landing receptions (three). He was teammates at Arizona State with San Francisco 49ers first-round choose Ricky Pearsall, who starred in Tempe earlier than spending his closing two seasons with the Gators within the SEC.
“He (Pearsall) reached out to me the day after he obtained drafted after I was within the portal,” Badger informed 247Sports. “He heard Florida was in touch.”
Badger posted career-highs in receptions (70), receiving yards (866), and receiving touchdowns (seven) in the course of the 2022 marketing campaign. He presents a big-play risk subsequent to Florida star receiver Eugene Wilson, who recorded 61 catches for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns in his freshman marketing campaign.
One other huge add to Florida’s switch portal class
After ending final season with a 5-7 mark, the strain is on Napier to guide the Gators again to a bowl recreation. The Florida coach has leaned closely on the portal in an try and improve his roster forward of a brutal 2024 slate. Former Colorado cornerback Cormani McClain and USC offensive lineman Jason Zandamela — the two-highest-ranked gamers from Florida’s switch portal class — dedicated earlier this month. McClain ranked because the No. 14 general participant within the 2023 recruiting cycle, whereas Zandamela was the top-ranked inside offensive lineman within the 2024 class.
Badger ought to supply Florida quarterback Graham Mertz a dependable goal to assist stretch the sector. Florida’s deep-ball-attempt price dropped from 19.6% in 2022 to 10.9% this previous season.
“[Mertz] was simply telling me how huge of a component I’d be to the offense, and what we might do for each other,” Badger mentioned.
