Former Florida Gator J. Michael Sturdivant was signed by the Green Bay Packers after the wide receiver went undrafted following the 2026 NFL draft.
Sturdivant's one-year run in Gainesville was a catalyst for his selection. Showcasing his downfield speed and pass-catching radius for the Orange and Blue lifted his stock as a developing prospect. The Packers did not select any wide receivers in last weekend's draft after using a first and third-round pick on pass catchers in 2025.
The Overland Park, Kansas, native previously attended the University of California and UCLA before transferring to Florida. At 6-feet-3-inches and 207 pounds, the receiver is an ideal archetype for outside receiving threats at the next level. Sturdivant's downfield speed makes the former four-star prospect an attractive proposition and his 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine denotes the explosiveness NFL franchises covet at skill positions.
Florida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) gets grabbed by Texas defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the first half an NCAA football game in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 4, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]Nov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesSep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) hauls in a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 29, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]Florida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) scores during the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 29, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]Oct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) breaks a tackle from Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Deago Brumfield (4) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesAug 30, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) and Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) gesture after a run against the Long Island Sharks during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn ImagesNov 22, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesFlorida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) tries to convince the referees that his catch was good in the fourth quarter in an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 24-20. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]Nov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) catches a kick in the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesOXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 15: J. Michael Sturdivant #9 of the Florida Gators attempts to catch a pass against Sage Ryan #3 of the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)Oct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) breaks a tackle from Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Deago Brumfield (4) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesSep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls cornerback James Chenault (9) intercepts a pass to Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesNov 22, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) makes a catch against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesApr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) walks on the field during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) scores during the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 29, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]Oct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) makes a catch against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) makes a catch for a touchdown over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Edwin Joseph (3) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images1 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) gets grabbed by Texas defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the first half an NCAA football game in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 4, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]1 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) gets grabbed by Texas defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the first half an NCAA football game in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 4, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]2 / 20Packers sign Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant as UDFA after NFL draftNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images3 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaSep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs against the South Florida Bulls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images4 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) hauls in a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 29, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]5 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) scores during the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 29, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]6 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaOct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) breaks a tackle from Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Deago Brumfield (4) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images7 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaAug 30, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) and Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) gesture after a run against the Long Island Sharks during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images8 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images9 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaNov 22, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images10 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaFlorida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) tries to convince the referees that his catch was good in the fourth quarter in an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia defeated Florida 24-20. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]11 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaNov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) catches a kick in the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images12 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaOXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 15: J. Michael Sturdivant #9 of the Florida Gators attempts to catch a pass against Sage Ryan #3 of the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)13 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaOct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) breaks a tackle from Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Deago Brumfield (4) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images14 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaSep 6, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls cornerback James Chenault (9) intercepts a pass to Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images15 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaNov 22, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images16 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) makes a catch against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images17 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaApr 12, 2025; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) walks on the field during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images18 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaFlorida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) scores during the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 29, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]19 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaOct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) makes a catch against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images20 / 20PHOTOS: Highlights from J. Michael Sturdivant's year at FloridaNov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant (9) makes a catch for a touchdown over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Edwin Joseph (3) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesComing in with significant experience, Sturdivant contributed to the Gators' passing attack immediately. In 2025, he amassed 406 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 15.0 yards per reception — numbers that highlight his ability to stretch defenses and create explosive plays down the field.
For the Packers, Sturdivant projects as an athlete who can line up at multiple spots across the field, with the perimeter being his bread and butter. His evaluation, like many of the other Gators in the draft, is centered around upside. Sturdivant's combination of speed and length makes him a rookie who can potentially compete for snaps in Green Bay.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Packers sign Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant as UDFA after 2026 draft
