Florida Gators DB Jadarrius Perkins to enter transfer portal
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — One of Florida’s veteran defensive backs is leaving the program following the first game of the 2023 season. Senior safety Jadarrius Perkins has decided to enter the transfer portal.
He announced his decision Thursday on X, formerly Twitter.
“I want to appreciate Dan Mullen and Scott [Stricklin] for giving me the Opportunity to be a Gator something I’II remember and cherish forever. With that being said I have decided to enter my name in the Transfer Portal as a Graduate. A really unfortunate situation I love all of my teammates that has kept me up throughout everything. Outside noise mean zero only the people in this circle knows the real and that’s all that truly matters. Wishing my brothers luck in finishing this season you guys works so hard for it,” Perkins wrote.
Perkins spent the past two seasons at Florida after transferring in. He played in all 13 games last year, totaling 14 tackles (12 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss and one interception against Georgia.
With UF starting nickel Tre’Vez Johnson transferring to Missouri, Perkins competed for his job this offseason with redshirt junior DB Jaydon Hill. Both are listed as starters at STAR, but Perkins was in for just six plays against Utah vs. Hill’s 23 snaps.
Perkins appeared in nine games as a reserve defensive back in 2021 and started against Samford. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast and signed with Missouri before transferring to UF in the summer of 2021.
The staff will continue to work with Perkins so he can finish his degree and find a new home for his final year of eligibility.
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Gators depth at STAR
Perkins’ departure leaves the Gators with three players at the STAR position. In addition to Hill, they have true freshmen Sharif Denson and Bryce Thornton.
Both made their collegiate debuts in the season opener last week, with Denson recording a tackle at Utah. Napier mentioned that his role would expand against McNeese.
“Sharrif Denson will have more of a role this week,” Napier said on the SEC teleconference Wednesday. “Bryce Thornton played on special teams.”
Now Hill takes over the full-time starter in the nickel. He switched positions this offseason, making the move from cornerback where he started 14 career games.
“I’ve been actually doing pretty good. I like it a lot,” Hill said of the change at the start of training camp. “I plan on making a lot of plays there this fall.”
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![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)