Florida Gators Baseball Transfer Portal: Key 2027 Roster Changes

Florida baseball has added catcher Jon Embury and pitcher Maddox McDougall via the transfer portal for the 2027 season, according to roster updates. The team also saw the departure of four-year starter Cade Kurland to LSU, among other players, before the June 30 portal deadline.

Who are the new additions to the Florida roster?

Rising junior catcher Jon Embury joins the Gators from Florida Gulf Coast. Embury was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year during his sophomore season, where he recorded a .364 batting average, 17 home runs, and a 1.084 OPS.

Embury is expected to slot into the middle of the lineup and fill a void behind the plate. This follows the loss of senior catchers Karson Bowen and Cole Stanford, who have exhausted their eligibility.

The pitching staff adds rising junior right-hander Maddox McDougall from Jacksonville State. McDougall posted a 2.76 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 49 innings during the 2026 season, appearing in 22 relief games and one start.

Did You Know? Jon Embury was a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award, given to the nation’s top catcher, after throwing out 20 of 36 attempted base stealers during his sophomore year.

Which players have entered the transfer portal?

Senior second baseman Cade Kurland has transferred to LSU for the 2027 season. Kurland, a four-year starter, finished his Florida career with 200 hits and 43 home runs.

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Kurland retains one year of eligibility via a medical redshirt from the 2025 season. His brother, freshman left-hander Rivers Kurland, also entered the portal after not appearing in a game in 2026.

Right-hander Cooper Walls has transferred to Georgia after posting a 7.17 ERA in 17 games for Florida. Other departing pitchers include McCall Biemiller, Matthew Jenkins, Cooper Moss, and Christian Rodriguez.

Position players Blake Brookins and Kolt Myers also elected to transfer. Myers hit .185 with 15 hits in 32 games during his time in Gainesville.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that while losing a veteran like Cade Kurland removes a consistent offensive presence, the acquisition of an award-winning catcher like Embury addresses a critical eligibility gap. The team’s success may now depend on how quickly the new transfers integrate into the existing pitching core of Aidan King and Russell Sandefer.

What happens next for the Gators?

The Florida roster could continue to shift as the transfer portal remains open until June 30. The team may look to fill further gaps left by the departure of several pitchers and two position players.

New contributors could emerge to fill the vacancies in the infield and outfield. McDougall will join a rotation that currently includes Jackson Barberi and Joshua Whritenour.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the transfer portal close for Florida?
The portal remains open until June 30.

Where is Cade Kurland transferring?
Cade Kurland has announced his transfer to LSU for the 2027 season.

What were Jon Embury’s statistics at Florida Gulf Coast?
Embury batted .364 with 17 home runs and a 1.084 OPS.

How will the loss of a four-year starter like Cade Kurland impact the 2027 lineup?