J.Michael Sturdivant accepts invite to East-West Shrine Bowl
Redshirt senior receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, who played one season with the Florida Gators as a transfer from UCLA, has accepted an invitation to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl, which is Jan. 27 in the metro Dallas area. Sturdivant started in every game for UF in 2025, recording 27 receptions for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
Sturdivant capped his Gators career with a team-leading 58 yards receiving and a touchdown on three catches in a home win over Florida State.
He played the 2023 and 24 seasons at UCLA, and was at Cal in 2021 (redshirt) and 2022. All told, Sturdivant started 42 games in college and recorded 150 catches for 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had career-highs for receptions (65) and receiving yards (755) during his redshirt freshman season at Cal.
Here’s a look at the UF players headed to postseason all-star games.
Player | Bowl Game | Position | Years at UF | Games started at UF | Key numbers | Accolades |
| Jake Slaughter | Panini Senior Bowl | Center | 2021-25 | 33 | 748 offensive snaps with a PFF pass block grade of 87.1 (2025) | -All-American (2024) -1st-team All-SEC (2025) -Rimington Finalist (2025) |
| Caleb Banks | Panini Senior Bowl | Defensive Line | 2023-25 | 24 | 8.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks over 16 games in 2024, ’25 | -Chuck Bednarik Watch List (2025) -Bronko Nagurski Watch List (2025) |
| Austin Barber | Panini Senior Bowl | Offensive tackle | 2021-25 | 38 | 750 offensive snaps with a PFF run block grade of 82.2 (2025) | -All-SEC Third Team (2025) -Outland Trophy Watch List (2025) |
| Tommy Doman | East-West Shrine Bowl | Punter | 2025 | 12 | 50 punts, 44.04 average | -PFF 2025 All-SEC Team |
| Trey Smack | East-West Shrine Bowl | Placekicker | 2022-25 | 37 games as UF’s primary PK | 53 of 64 (long of 56 yards and 10 makes of 50-plus) | Lou Groza Semifinalist (2023, ’25) All-SEC Third Team (2025) |
| George Gumbs Jr. | East-West Shrine Bowl | EDGE | 2024-25 | 13 at UF | 14.5 tackles for loss as a Gator | SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll (2024) |
| J. Michael Sturdivant, | East-West Shrine Bowl | WR | 2025 | 12 at UF | 27 receptions, 406 yards, 3 TDs as a Gator | FWAA First Team All-American (2022) |