Florida defender Andrew Chatfield announces transfer to Oregon State

After an announcement of his intent to transfer followed by a game in uniform, Florida Gators edge rusher Andrew Chatfield is, in fact, transferring — announcing that he’ll head to Oregon State via Twitter on Wednesday.

Chatfield previously announced his intention to transfer in early September, but followed that announcement by playing in Florida’s season opener against FAU, prompting a question of Dan Mullen about his status in the subsequent Monday press conference that Mullen answered with a verbal shrug. Chatfield did not play in Florida’s last two games against USF and Alabama.

Chatfield played as a reserve for Florida in 2020, flashing in limited action and collecting 13 tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks — 1.5 of which came against Georgia and Alabama. He was also viewed as an important addition to Florida’s 2018 recruiting class at the time of his commitment, as a four-star prospect who had previously decommitted from Ohio State and chose the Gators over Miami.

But his size was always an impediment to getting on the field for the Gators. Chatfield was Florida’s only listed outside linebacker under 6’4”, and his listed height of 6’2” is perhaps slightly generous, though he did add weight and strength to a frame that carried something like 220 pounds in high school. At Oregon State, he should have a chance to play often for a team that rarely stocks athletes of Chatfield’s caliber — and even more rarely has better ones ahead of players like Chatfield on the depth chart, as is the case at Florida.

We wish Chatfield the best of luck in his continuing career.