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Florida Football Trio Headed to 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl
Punter, kicker, and receiver from the Gators will showcase talents at prestigious pre-NFL draft event.
Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:23am
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Three former Florida Gators football players - punter Tommy Doman, kicker Trey Smack, and wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant - have been selected to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious pre-NFL draft all-star game. The trio will represent the Orange and Blue at the event, which is held annually to showcase top college talent for NFL scouts.
Why it matters
The East-West Shrine Bowl is one of the most important pre-draft events, with over 200 former participants inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and 78 into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This opportunity allows the Florida players to showcase their skills and potentially improve their NFL draft stock.
The details
Smack spent four seasons as Florida's starting place kicker, going 53-for-64 on field goal attempts and setting the school record for most 50-plus yard field goals with 10. Doman transferred from Michigan for his final year of eligibility and averaged 44 yards per punt, including 13 from 50 yards and beyond. Sturdivant was a transfer portal acquisition who led the Gators in receiving in 2025 with 27 catches for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
- Smack, Doman, and Sturdivant were selected to participate in the game in December 2025.
The players
Trey Smack
A four-year kicker for the Florida Gators, Smack set the school record for most 50-plus yard field goals made with 10.
Tommy Doman
A transfer from Michigan, Doman spent his final year of eligibility punting for the Gators, averaging 44 yards per punt.
J. Michael Sturdivant
A transfer portal acquisition, Sturdivant led the Gators in receiving in 2025 with 27 catches for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns.
What’s next
The East-West Shrine Bowl will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, giving the Florida trio a chance to impress NFL scouts and executives.
The takeaway
The selection of Smack, Doman, and Sturdivant to the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl highlights the continued talent pipeline from the Florida Gators program to the NFL, as the school continues to produce top-tier players who can showcase their skills on a national stage.
