Florida football earned a commitment from New Haven (FCS) tight ends Evan Chieca on Monday, according to Chris Hummer of CBS Sports.
After redshirting in 2023, Chieca played in all 20 games for the Chargers over the next two seasons, recording 43 receptions for 334 yards and five touchdowns. On3 gave him a three-star transfer portal grade, ranking him No. 1,945 overall and No. 104 among tight ends in the 2026 cycle.
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Chieca has two years of remaining eligibility.
Florida’s tight end room has been totally revamped over the transfer portal cycle. Starters Tony Livingston and Hayden Hansen both departed the program, but Jon Sumrall’s staff worked hard to retain sophomore Amir Jackson, who reversed his decision to enter the portal. Redshirt freshman Micah Jones also returns, and Heze Kent signed with the Gators in December.
Chieca is one of three additions to the position room, alongside James Madison’s Lacota Dippre and Georgia Tech’s Luke Harpring.
Florida 2026 transfer portal additions
The Gators are adding more than two dozen players via the transfer portal this cycle, even with the loss of Taumanupepe.
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On offense, Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo, Cincinnati running back Evan Pryor, Eastern Carolina running back London Montgomery, Auburn wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech wide receiver Bailey Stockton, Wake Forest receiver Micah Mays Jr., James Madison tight end Lacota Dippre, Georgia Tech tight end Luke Harpring, Georgia Tech interior offensive lineman Harrison Moore, Stanford offensive lineman Emeka Ugorji and Penn State offensive linemen Eagan Boyer and TJ Shanahan have committed.
On defense, Florida has earned commitments from Baylor defensive lineman DK Kalu, Southern Mississippi defensive lineman Mason Clinton, Jacksonville State defensive lineman/edge defender Emmanuel Oyebadejo, UCF linebacker TJ Bullard, UCLA cornerback Kanye Clark, Kentucky cornerback Cam Dooley, Baylor safety DJ Coleman and Mississippi Gulf Coast (JUCO) safety Elijah Owens.
The Gators are also reloading its special teams unit. Tulane kicker Patrick Durkin, Texas A&M kicker Liam Padron, Tulane punter Alec Clark, and Louisiana long snapper Carter Milliron have all committed to UF.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators earn transfer portal commitment from FCS TE Evan Chieca
