Florida football landed a commitment from former UCF linebacker TJ Bullard after he officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. The move gives the Gators another depth piece on defense while also bringing a player with deep ties back to the Swamp.
Bullard spent the last four seasons at UCF, carving out a role primarily on special teams while continuing to develop at linebacker. In 2025, he appeared in 10 games for the Knights and was a regular on kickoff and coverage units, adding a pair of tackles and a half tackle for loss along the way. He also saw action in eight games the year before, staying in the rotation as a reliable situational contributor.
For the Orange and Blue, the addition is as much about upside as it is about familiarity. Bullard comes from a football family that knows the program well. His brother, Titus Bullard, is a preferred walk-on edge rusher for the Gators. His father is Thaddeus Bullard, a professional wrestler involved with the WWE under the ring name “Titus O’Neil”. He also played defensive end for the Gators in the late 1990s under Steve Spurrier, making this commitment a full-circle moment for the family.
Before college, Bullard was a three-star prospect at Berkeley Prep in Tampa. With his physical style and high motor, he built a reputation as a tough, assignment-sound defender who could also contribute in space.
With the Gators continuing to reshape its roster through the portal, Bullard gives Florida another experienced body in the linebacker room and on special teams. His familiarity with the program and staying in the state should help him transition quickly as he looks to compete for a larger role in Gainesville.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football gets commitment from UCF transfer LB TJ Bullard