Florida football spent its first spring under Jon Sumrall developing a tougher mindset while learning new offensive and defensive schemes.
How that will play out for the Florida Gators in 2026 under Sumrall remains to be seen as UF looks to bounce back from a dismal 4-8 season in 2025.
Florida is ranked ninth out of 16 teams in USA Today’s SEC spring power rankings.
UF returns five starters on offense and five starters on defense. Sumrall turned over close to half the roster from the 2025 season with 20 incoming freshmen and 30 transfers. The starting quarterback competition between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and returning redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. will extend into fall drills.
“The way I want them to do everything is with urgency,” Sumrall said. “I think for some of them, that’s a little bit new. I want them to walk urgently in the building. I want them – I don’t like casual behavior, and complacency’s a killer. If you think because you did something one week, it’s gonna happen the next week, you’re going to be exposed.”
Florida football strengths
The return of junior running back Jadan Baugh gives UF a proven offensive star to build around. The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and 8 TDs last season, becoming UF’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015. Baugh also had 33 catches for 210 yards and a TD for UF in 2025 and is expected to be utilized in a variety of creative ways under new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
Florida’s receiving corps has received a boost with the addition of transfers Eric Singleton Jr. (Auburn), Micah Mays Jr. (Wake Forest) and Bailey Stockton (Georgia Tech). Returning receivers Vernell Brown III (40 catches, 512 yards), Dallas Wilson (12 catches, 174 yards, 3 TDs) and TJ Abrams (14 catches, 202 yards) provide more depth and playmaking ability within the position group.
Florida’s front seven, led by edge rusher Jayden Woods (3.5 sacks, 1 interception in 2025), linebacker Myles Graham (76 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks) and defensive tackle Brendan Bett (4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks), has the potential to be a stout run-stuffing unit capable of generating pressure on the quarterback.
Florida football weaknesses
UF’s offensive line needs to continue and develop physically under first-year coach Phil Trautwein after losing three starters, including All-American center Jake Slaughter (NFL second round draft pick, Los Angeles Chargers) and starting left tackle Austin Barber (NFL third round draft pick, Cleveland Browns).
A playmaking threat at tight ends needs to emerge. Florida is hopeful returning redshirt sophomore Amir Jackson (3 catches, 29 yards, 1 TD), James Madison transfer Lacota Dippre or Georgia Tech transfer Luke Harpring can fill that well.
Florida’s secondary recorded three interceptions but also surrendered a handful of big plays in UF’s spring game. Sumrall wants to see more consistency from UF’s cornerbacks, with redshirt juniors Cormani McClain and Dijon Johnson as the projected starters.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football in USA Today SEC spring power rankings, where UF is ranked