Breaking: Transfer edge set to join the Gators

Gators made quick contact with this transfer defender

Former Bowling Green edge Cashius Howell entered the NCAA Transfer Portal this past Saturday. This entrance comes off a productive sophomore season where he was tied for first in the MAC conference with 9.5. That stat line comes along with 27 tackles (10.5 for a loss) and a forced fumble on the year. As Swamp247 first reported on Tuesday morning, the Gators had gotten in touch with both Howell and his father.

Cashius Howell - Football - Bowling Green State University Athletics

“I’m grateful for ever getting the opportunity to talk to UF,” he told Swamp247. “Always dreamed of playing here.”

After wrapping up his final game of the season, in his team’s bowl game against Minnesota, the Gators took the next step with Howell by setting an official visit with him. That date will be January 3rd according to Howell. The 3rd is the first date for portal prospects to take trips to schools. The regular ‘Contact Period’ for non transfers does not open till January 12th. According to Howell, the visit was set following a conversation with Florida defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong.

Breaking down Florida’s 2024 defensive back signees

The Gators signed a total of four defensive backs during the early portion of National Signing Day that join a long list of talented defensive backs in Florida’s secondary room.

Trikweze Bridges

The former Oregon Duck entered the transfer portal on December 5th and committed to the Gators 13 days later. During his time in Eugene, Trikweze Bridges totaled 91 total tackles (54 solo), six passes defended, four interceptions, nine passes defended and 2.5 tackles for loss. Bridges originally committed to Oregon as a safety but later transitioned to cornerback for the Ducks.

“Trikweze Bridges is height, weight, speed, ton of production. The guy has played corner but has got some position flexibility,” Napier said on Bridges. “He can play safety. Very intelligent. Was on the leadership council at Oregon. He’s got one year of eligibility, and I think looking to create some more value for himself a little bit closer to home, being from Lanett, Alabama. So really excited about the flexibility that he offers and experience that he has.”

The Alabama native held 22 offers back in the Class of 2019 as a three-star prospect and the No. 38 safety in the country according to 247Sports. With teams like Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Ohio State seeking interest, the final two teams in play for the 6’3, 200-pound safety came down to LSU and Oregon.

Josiah Davis

The Georgia native was a multi-sport athlete at Berrien High School and played on both sides of the football with the Rebels. Josiah Davis thrived all over the field during his junior season totaling 70 total tackles and one interception while picking up 895 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns offensively. The 6’0, 182-pound athlete was also a major threat on special teams with seven total kickoffs returned for a touchdown. As a senior, Davis rushed for 614 yards on 132 carries and 10 rushing touchdowns. Defensively, the incoming Gator recorded 38 total tackles and one interception.

Davis was a three-star recruit coming out of Berrien High School and received 16 total offers from teams like Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Louisville. The No. 53 safety in the 2024 class according to 247sports should be a valuable piece on both special teams and in the secondary for the Gators.

Teddy Foster

The two-way player took snaps at wide receiver and defensive back during his junior season at Cardinal Mooney High School. Teddy Foster was also a multi-sport athlete where he played basketball and football in both his junior and senior seasons. As a junior, the 6’0, 170-pound corner racked up 38 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 11 games played. Offensively, Foster hauled in 17 receptions for 242 yards and three touchdowns. The Florida native put up even better numbers as a senior recording 47 total tackles, eight passes defended, four tackles for loss, one interception and one sack. Despite specifically being recruited as a corner back, Foster put up five receiving touchdowns for 433 yards.

The No. 60 cornerback in the country was a three-star recruit with teams such as North Carolina, Oregon State and Indiana in the mix. Foster also received offers from Miami, Tennessee and USC but didn’t take any official visits. Foster originally committed to the Gators on July 14th and hasn’t wavered since.

Gregory Smith

The Gators earned a big commitment from the underrated safety on signing day, making Smith their third safety in 2024 class. Gregory Smith was also a multi-sport athlete in high school that participated in long jump and triple jump events while also playing basketball and football. The 6’4, 200-pound safety was primarily a quarterback where he passed for 1,423 yards and completed 60.9% of his passing attempts with 14 touchdowns in his junior season. As a senior, Smith continued to play quarterback but made the switch over to safety recording 29 total tackles, four passes defended, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss and one interception. At quarterback, the Florida native passed for 1633 yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions according to MaxPreps.

As a three-star prospect, Smith got a bump in the rankings after making the switch to safety, bringing plenty of potential to the table at his size. The No. 35 athlete in the nation held 26 total offers including Florida State, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Louisville. The main teams that were in contention for Smith were Vanderbilt, Virginia and Florida.

Bridges, Davis and Smith will join a safety room that primarily includes Jordan Castell, R.J. Moten, Bryce Thornton and Ahmad Covington.

Foster will join a cornerback room that primarily includes Jaydon Hill (STAR), Ja’Keem Jackson, Sharif Denson (STAR), Aaron Gates, Dijon Johnson, Devin Moore, and Jason Marshall.