Florida Gators land talented defender who is both a program legacy and son of WWE wrestler

Jon Sumrall landed linebacker TJ Bullard in the transfer portal, who is the son of WWE wrestler Titus O’Neill.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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New UF head football coach Jon Sumrall speaks during a press conference at the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, FL on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun

The Florida Gators have been red hot with the transfer portal, and head coach Jon Sumrall has landed another talented player in UCF linebacker TJ Bullard. He becomes the 21st commit the Gators have landed in the transfer portal.

The Gators needed depth in the linebacker room and they got it. He joins Myles Graham, Aaron Chiles, and Jaden Robinson, along with four-star true freshman Malik Morris. That’s not all when it comes to Bullard.

New Gators commit TJ Bullard has ties to Florida and WWE

When it comes to where a player goes to school, it’s not just about what place is best from a football standpoint, the other is the off the field. Bullard has connections to Gainesville, as his dad is Thaddeus Bullard, who played for the Gators from 1997-200 on the defensive line. You might remember him by another name.

WWE wrestler Titus O’Neill.

That’s a really interesting connection for the Gators. He’s also not the only legacy in the linebacker room. Graham’s father is Earnest, who was a star running back for the Gators when Bullard’s father was with the program.

Florida Gators have been very intentional with transfer portal additions

The Gators don’t have the highest-rated transfer portal class, but it is getting up there. On3 Sports has the Gators ranked as the No. 8 transfer portal class currently with 21 commits. The top-rated commit is edge rusher Jayden Woods, who chose to return to Gainesville, with wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. being the highest-ranked outside commit.

The Gators have been very selective on the type of player they are bringing in. They want very specific players at certain spots, and that is arguably smarter than just adding raw talent. Nothing is for certain when bringing in any player from the transfer portal, but seeing a cohesive strategy from Sumrall is a nice change.

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