Just two weeks into Florida football’s spring practice regimen, head coach Jon Sumrall and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein have highlighted the importance of a “player-led team.” But getting players to step up as vocal leaders – let alone getting others to listen – is hard in the age of NIL, where athletes frequently cycle through the revolving door of the transfer portal.
Though UF replaced a slew of coaches ahead of 2026, the program is intentional in its approach to building a culture of accountability and leadership and is hopeful its returning players will help set the tone.
On Thursday, UF offensive line coach Phil Trautwein explained his approach to developing his players. His key notion: Chemistry off the field is just as important as on the field to get players to battle alongside one another in the trenches and listen to each other when motivation and corrections are needed.
“That's why we have O-line dinners,” Trautwein said. “I'm going to have them over my house as much as possible. I'm going to get them around. We're going to talk in the meeting room. It's not always just going to be about ball. So, also just getting to know each other off the field, too. That's what we're trying to do as a team.”
Fostering a selfless mindset within the room and pushing his players to compete for one another are some of Trautwein’s biggest priorities ahead of 2026. He said many of the linemen don’t know each other this early in the year and that their relationship development will be key to integrating and developing new players.
By creating a cohesive unit both on and off the field and adding a layer of passion, Trautwein’s line will likely play with an edge and experience fewer growing pains than position groups that don’t foster a sense of camaraderie within their respective rooms.
“I want an O-line unit that has that pride: they love each other, care about each other, they’ll do anything for each other,” Trautwein said. “I don’t want them to be ‘Hey, it’s just about me’ or ‘I only care about myself.’ And then you just don’t really have a good O-line that really will thrive and compete and develop the right way.”
Trautwein also plans to boost the versatility and level of all of his linemen by pushing everyone to fight for starting roles and moving players into different positions on the line. He was adamant that he’s a long way away from deciding who the starting five linemen will be, but was impressed with the competition he’s seen thus far.
Under Trautwein, the offensive line is treated as a puzzle and players have been trading reps at all positions to evaluate fit, give experience and make the line more versatile. With his mission to have every single lineman game-ready and prepared to compete, the resounding message was that returning players have to earn their place just as everyone else.
“It's going to be a competition and it’s going to stay that way all the way up till the first game, and even there after that,” Trautwein said. “Just because they were a starter last year does not mean they’re a starter this year.”
Through just two weeks of practice, Trautwein highlighted a few linemen who have made strides both on and off the field:
Caden Jones
Despite beginning as a left tackle in high school, Jones took on the role of right tackle for UF in 2025, appearing in all 12 games and logging 541 snaps. Now, under Trautwein, Jones has shifted back to the left side of the line and is splitting his reps between the two tackle positions.
Trautwein attributed this shift to making sure the line is versatile and ensuring Jones can be confident playing at his best position. The coach also claimed that Jones has been competing and improving in practice and has been willing to play his part to help the team. Moreover, Jones’ versatility will contribute to a higher potential for an NFL career.
But it’s not only the versatility that will bolster UF’s line. The intensity Sumrall and Florida coaches have brought to practice has pushed Florida into a culture of competition.
“It's completely night and day now with the team, especially in our room,” Jones said. “You can tell that people actually want to compete, they want to be there and trying to get better.”
Jones also said the biggest aspect of creating a culture of chemistry, pride and competition is to do the work both inside and outside of the facility. He’s a believer that the work put in outside of practice is what separates someone from the pack, no matter how tedious it seems.
With Florida moving towards a culture of camaraderie and togetherness within the offensive line, Jones thinks athletes will play harder and push each other to improve. He also said that when a group wants to improve collectively, you don’t have to push as hard to motivate the individual.
“A lot of team bonding goes into it, we do a lot outside of the football facility, which I think is a huge part,” Jones said. “A team that’s closer together is willing to play harder for each other.”
Bryce Lovett
As a redshirt sophomore, Lovett played in all 12 games with two starts at right tackle for UF, producing a run-blocking grade of 71.7 from PFF. Though his season wasn’t quite as productive as many hoped, he’s entering 2026 with a newfound versatility that will bolster the depth of UF’s offensive line.
A right tackle by trade, Lovett has been taking reps at both tackle and guard, with a stronger emphasis on shifting to the line’s interior. Trautwein’s thinking behind this shift was to develop Lovett in multiple areas to ensure he can play both positions well to benefit the team.
“If we were going to be a duo, just downhill, mash them, just not really run off the ball kind of team, and not run outside zone, then he would probably end up going to tackle,” Trautwein said. “But I don't want my 10th lineman on the field when I can put somebody else inside that can only play inside and move him out.”
As a fellow returner who played alongside Lovett in 2025, Jones noted Lovett’s growth from last season, explaining that he’s taken a noticeable step forward.
“He did struggle a little bit last year, but this year, you can see the confidence change,” Jones said. “He’s moving a lot faster and he’s moving with a lot more confidence.”
Jason Zandamela
As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Zandamela appeared in just one game for Florida, but has shown the effort and ability needed to carve out a role on the Gators’ O-line.
“He has taken advantage of his opportunity, and you can just see the difference,” Jones said. “He’s putting the work in inside and outside of the facility and it’s paying off on the field.”
Trautwein is also excited about the work Zandamela has put in at the center position and noted that he has a real chance to play in the NFL someday, given he continues to grind and put in the necessary work.
He also said Zandamela is doing everything in his power to land a starting spot and has the tools to do so.
“He’s doing a heck of a job, I’m really excited about him,” Trautwein said. “He has the ability to play in the NFL one day, he just has to keep grinding, keep working.”
Emeka Ugorji
Trautwein noted that Ugorji struggled at times during his freshman year at Stanford, but harped on the 18-year-old’s mentality and mindset.
Though Ugorji’s freshman campaign was far from perfect, Trautwein is excited for the opportunity to develop him and said the rising sophomore has been attacking each day. Trautwein also believes that Ugorji’s drive to succeed and get a degree as an engineer while playing football will translate well onto the gridiron.
“You'll see him on the field,” Trautwein said. “Don't know when, don't know where, but I know that he will because of his mentality and his mindset. And he's helping me build the culture.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a junior sports journalism student in his fourth semester at The Alligator. He is currently the sports desk's football and enterprise beat writer, and previously served as a reporter for men's tennis, sports enterprise and football. He is currently pursuing a public relations minor and is an avid Duval sports fan. (#DTWD)
