Florida football will be represented by a trio of former Gators in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl. Punter Tommy Doman, kicker Trey Smack and wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant will be the 48th through 50th members of the Orange and Blue to play in the prestigious pre-NFL draft event.
Edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. was reported to have accepted an invitation to the game along with Doman and Smack back in December, but the official game roster includes Sturdivant instead.
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Smack spent four seasons in the Swamp, taking over the starting place kicker role during his sophomore campaign. During his tenure with the Orange and Blue, he went 53-for-64 in field goal attempts, setting his longest at 56 yards while also owning the school’s record for most 50-plus yard field goals (10).
Doman transferred from the Michigan Wolverines before last season to spend his final year of eligibility with Florida. The native of Rochester Hills, Michigan, finished with an average of 44 yards per punt across 50 attempts — including 13 from 50 yards and beyond — and 17 of his punts were pinned inside the 20-yard line.
Sturdivant was also a transfer portal acquisition ahead of the 2025 campaign, starting in every game while finishing second on the team with 27 catches, along with 406 yards and three touchdowns. Before arriving in Gainesville, the Overland Park native played for the Cal Golden Bears (2021-22) and UCLA Bruins (2023-24), earning multiple first-team freshman all-American nods.
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About the East-West Shrine Bowl
“The East-West Shrine Bowl brings together the nation’s top college football players, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents before NFL scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 teams,” the official website states.
Since the game’s inception in 1925, 78 participants have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while more than 200 former players have been named to the College Football Hall of Fame.
The event — which is held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 — also helps raise funds for the Shriners Children’s network of health care facilities, which help provide specialized pediatric care to children facing complex health challenges.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football has 3 alumni playing in 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl
