Florida’s football program has taken an unconventional step toward bolstering its tight end depth by adding Jaylen Jordon, a 6‑foot‑7 forward from Jacksonville University, to its 2026 roster. The move follows a pattern set by head coach Jon Sumrall a decade earlier, when he signed Ade Aruna, a basketball standout who later carved out a six‑year career in the NFL after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2018 draft.
At 230 pounds, Jordon projects as a sizable target in the Gators’ tight end room, and he recently tested his athletic metrics at UF’s Pro Day, posting impressive vertical and broad jumps before a minor quad strain limited his workout.
Sumrall has been candid about the trade‑offs of converting basketball players to football, noting that their ball‑handling instincts can be a boon while their lack of pads and different footwork present challenges.
Historical precedents of basketball‑to‑football success
The coach points to a lineage of successful transitions, citing Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, as well as Jimmy Graham, whose 13‑year NFL career included five Pro Bowl selections.
Having played both sports in high school, Jordon arrives with a baseline understanding of football concepts, and he will now have the chance to prove his worth in the Gators’ offense when the 2026 season kicks off.