Florida linebacker Grayson Howard plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on Wednesday via social media. He spent the past two seasons at Florida after a brief stint at South Carolina.

Howard appeared in 11 games for the Gamecocks before transferring and joining the Gators. He was close to a full-time starter in 2024 before injuries hit. His 2025 season didn’t produce quite as much.

“I want to thank the previous coaching staff for believing in me, giving me the opportunity to come in, compete, and showcase my abilities on Saturdays,” Grayson Howard wrote in a departure note posted to Twitter. “Lastly, thank you to the amazing Gator fans who have made me feel at home since day one.

“With that being said, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining.”

After logging 37 tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a pass defended in 2024, Grayson Howard was limited to three games in 2025. He finished this season with just four tackles.

During his lone season at South Carolina in 2023, Howard appeared in 11 games and recorded 19 tackles, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. He transferred after the season.

Prior to enrolling at South Carolina, Grayson Howard was a coveted prospect. He was ranked as a four-star recruit and the No. 186 overall prospect in the nation in the 2023 class. He checked in as the No. 20 linebacker in the class and the No. 40 overall player in the state of Florida, hailing from Jacksonville (FL) Andrew Jackson.

Grayson Howard not the only Florida departure

As one of the many programs in the country with a new head coach this offseason, Florida is likely to experience above average turnover on the roster. We’re seeing that play out with the news from Grayson Howard and others.

Florida sophomore wide receiver Tank Hawkins also plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. On3 broke that news on Wednesday.

Across two seasons in Gainesville, Hawkins hauled in 12 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown. After playing in five games as a freshman, the Fredericksburg, VA native played in just four games this season. Speculation ran rampant about Hawkins’ status on the team, until it was revealed during the SEC Network broadcast of Florida‘s game against Kentucky on Nov. 8 that he had decided to redshirt this season.

Prior to enrolling at Florida, Tank Hawkins was ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 300 overall player in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 49 receiver in his class and the No. 34 overall player from the state of Florida, hailing from IMG Academy.

On3’s Daniel Hager also contributed to this report.