The Florida Gators entered the spring transfer portal with a priority to bolster their wide receiver corps, and they achieved that goal with the commitment of former Arizona State wide receiver Elijhah Badger on Friday. Badger, who had taken an official visit to Florida earlier in the week, joins the Gators following a successful stint at ASU.
Florida has previously had success with transfers from Arizona State, most notably with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who went on to have a productive career at Gainesville and was recently drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Pearsall’s endorsement of the program played a significant role in Badger’s decision to join the Gators.
“He reached out to me the day after he got drafted when I was in the portal,” Badger said of Pearsall. “He heard Florida was in contact. He put in a very good word for Billy Napier and the school in general. He loved it.”
With Pearsall moving on, Badger is expected to be a key contributor at wide receiver for Florida this upcoming season. His college career at Arizona State was marked by 142 receptions, 1,640 yards, and 10 touchdowns, with his most productive season being in 2022 when he recorded 70 catches for 866 yards and seven touchdowns.
Badger, a former four-star prospect out of Sacramento (CA) Folsom High School in the 2020 recruiting class, has one year of college eligibility remaining. His experience and production were key factors that attracted the Gators’ coaching staff.
“They see me as an experienced wide receiver with playmaking abilities and someone who has shown growth over time,” Badger said.
In addition to visiting Florida, Badger took official visits to Washington and Arizona this spring before making his decision to transfer.
Badger’s commitment marks the addition of the 15th transfer to Florida’s roster this offseason. The Gators have been active in the transfer market, adding players such as offensive lineman Jason Zandamela (formerly USC), cornerback Cormani McClain (formerly Colorado), and defensive back Asa Turner (formerly Washington).
247Sports currently ranks Badger as a four-star transfer prospect, the No. 184 overall transfer, and the No. 36 wide receiver transfer in the nation.
