GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida redshirt junior defensive end Antonneous Clayton will transfer from the program, he announced via his Twitter account on Monday afternoon.

Sources have confirmed to Swamp247 that Clayton has already entered his name into the NCAA's transfer portal.

"After talking over with my family I've decided to transfer and see what my future holds in store for me and my son and family," Clayton wrote. "Please understand this decision is harder than it sounds but please understand I will be forever grateful for Gator Nation for their support and I wish you all the best."

Clayton was Florida's highest-rated recruit from the 2016 recruiting class, tabbed as the No. 27 overall player in the country, a high four-star prospect. However, he had little impact in his three years with the Gators.

Already this spring Clayton was finding it difficult to get many snaps at the 'buck' rush end position, despite the Gators losing Jachai Polite and CeCe Jefferson to the NFL Draft. Louisville transfer Jonathan Greenard has quickly emerged as the starter at that position, while younger players like David Reese, Andrew Chatfield, Mohamoud Diabate and Jesiah Pierre are all getting significant snap counts behind Greenard.

Reese appears to be leading that young crop for the backup job behind Greenard at the moment, offering Florida some real length and athleticism at the position. It should be noted, too, that redshirt junior Jeremiah Moon was also expected to be a major contributor at the position but isn't taking part in spring practice due to an injury.

Clayton didn't appear to be a priority in the mix.

Originally recruited by coach Jim McElwain, Clayton didn't have much more luck finding his way onto the field in new coach Dan Mullen's first season at the helm.

He redshirted during the 2018 season, playing in just three games. He finishes his Florida career with 11 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.

Still, Clayton was grateful for the opportunity.

"I wanna thank God for the opportunities that were given to me ever since this thing started to kick off," Clayton wrote. "[F]or the past three years I've given the University of Florida everything I've gotten (sic) on and off the field and I'm forever grateful for coach Mac, coach (Chris) Rumph and coach (Geoff) Collins for recruiting me and allowing to come attend a wonderful university and meet my amazing teammates and amazing professors here at this university."

From Dooly County High School in Vienna, Ga., Clayton was rated as the No. 27 overall player in the 2016 class and was an Under Armour All-American. He was tabbed as the No. 2 weak-side defensive end in the nation in his class and the No. 4 overall player in the state of Georgia.