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The Green Bay Packers signed former Florida wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL draft. Sturdivant, known for his speed and pass-catching ability, previously played at UCLA and California.
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Packers sign Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant as UDFA after NFL draft
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]
J. Michael Sturdivant is a former Florida wide receiver known for his downfield speed and pass-catching skills, having previously played at UCLA and California.
The Packers signed Sturdivant as a UDFA due to his impressive performance at Florida, where he showcased his speed and potential as a developing prospect.
Sturdivant stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 207 pounds, with a notable 40-yard dash time of 4.40 seconds at the combine.
The Packers' decision not to draft any wide receivers in 2026 highlights their reliance on previously drafted pass catchers and their strategy to enhance the team through undrafted free agents like Sturdivant.

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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 Images
Sep 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 Images
Florida 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 Images
Aug 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 Images
Nov 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 Images
Nov 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 Images
Florida 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 Images
OXFORD, 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 Images
Sep 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 Images
Nov 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 Images
Nov 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 Images
Apr 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 Images
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) makes a catch against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Nov 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 Images
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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]
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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]
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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 Images
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Sep 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 Images
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Florida 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]
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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]
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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 Images
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Aug 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 Images
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Nov 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 Images
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Nov 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 Images
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Florida 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]
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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 Images
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OXFORD, 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)
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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 Images
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Sep 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 Images
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Nov 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 Images
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Nov 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 Images
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Apr 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 Images
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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]
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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 Images
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Nov 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 Images
Coming 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.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Packers sign Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant as UDFA after 2026 draft