Former Arizona State WR Elijhah Badger commits to Florida

Former Arizona State wide receiver Elijhah Badger committed to Florida, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He spent his entire college career to this point with the Sun Devils before moving on.

Over the course of four years with Arizona State, Badger had 142 catches for 1,640 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11.5 yards per catch. He added 18 carries for 111 yards and three scores.

Badger set career highs in 2022 with 70 catches, 866 yards, seven touchdowns and 12.4 yards per catch. The wide out reportedly set his visit with Florida for the dates of May 14-16, Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online reported.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Badger was a four-star recruit out of Sacramento (Calif.) Folsom, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 13 overall prospect in the state, the No. 23 wide receiver in the class and the No. 121 overall prospect in the class.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

Elijhah Badger commits to Florida, adds to Billy Napier offense

Badger was a solid find by head coach Billy Napier in the transfer portal. If the Gators are to find their ceiling in 2024, as On3’s Andy Staples pointed out, a guy like Badger could help.

“The path forward for Napier requires improvement on defense combined with an offense that should operate smoothly with quarterback Graham Mertz entering year two in the system,” Staples wrote. “Eugene Wilson III should emerge as the top receiving threat, while veteran Montrell Johnson and freshman Jaden Baugh should be a capable backfield tandem.

“If the defense is better and the Gators stop sending 10 players out on the field goal block team, then they might survive the season’s first half with a promising record. At that point, the measuring stick would be how competitive Florida is against a group of actual College Football Playoff contenders.” 

Never hurts to add a veteran receiver who could break out for one more year like Badger.