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.”
Less than six months ago, Gators fans across the country grimaced as third-year defensive back Dijon Johnson went down with an injury to his right knee in the second half of UF’s 26-7 loss to Miami on Sept. 20. Johnson underwent surgery to repair his meniscus just two days later, a procedure that sidelined him for the remainder of his redshirt sophomore campaign.
Spring football is well underway in Gainesville. While Florida isn’t lacing up cleats on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, there is still plenty to be said about the current state of Gators football.
When Brad White was hired as the newest defensive coordinator of Florida football, he was challenged with bringing a new defensive scheme to a Gators unit that finished 13th in the SEC in total defense in 2025.
Stepping up to the podium Thursday following practice, sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III had changed. He trimmed his hair down to the shortest length since he joined Florida last spring. He changed his number from No. 8 to the famed No. 1, worn by past Gator greats including Percy Harvin. But one area of Brown did not change: His work ethic.
Though Texas was a school that targeted him in the portal, a visit from Jon Sumrall and Florida coaches to Woods’ family in Kansas on Jan. 6 made all the difference in showing how genuine UF’s investment in him truly was.
After joking about those in orange jerseys being moved to the quarterback position, Gators head coach Jon Sumrall broke down the full injury report as spring practice kicked off. He said that he anticipates Tuesday’s report on the first day of spring to extend through the next 15 days of practice.
Following a 4-8 season for the Gators – one in which they saw their head coach fired and their lead back rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time since 2015 – a revamped coaching staff is prepared to turn a new leaf in Gainesville.
Every player needs consistency, versatility and resilience to make a name for themselves in the NFL. Yet, with thousands of college athletes vying for professional careers, that opportunity remains out of reach for most, especially when the NFL Scouting Combine invites just 300 to 335 of the top athletes each year.
Since Kyle Pitts’ time as a Gator, when he became Florida’s all-time leader among tight ends in receiving yards (1,492), receptions (100), and touchdowns (18), the tight end position has been an overlooked — and often underutilized — part of UF’s offense.
Brandon Harris’ life has been defined by two things: football and family. The intersection of those two for Florida’s new cornerbacks coach has always been football.
Back home in Ireland, sport is tied first to geographic location. Even if you never played, you usually belong to something: a club, a parish or a county. The Gaelic Athletic Association organizes Ireland’s main indigenous sports, Gaelic football and hurling, through local clubs. Because it relies on volunteers and local pride, sport ends up woven into ordinary social life.
Though Florida football nearly cleaned the house ahead of its 2026 campaign, both key returners and new pieces are set to contribute to a versatile defense led by defensive coordinator Brad White and safeties coach Chris Collins.
Despite a tumultuous transfer portal for Florida, the Gators' wide receiver room is restocked. Part of Florida’s core five returners from the 2025-26 campaign were two receivers, Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
Phil Trautwein is no stranger to success. As a player, he won two national championships as a key member of Florida’s offensive line in 2006 and 2008. As a coach, he helped lead Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024.
Under newly hired head coach Jon Sumrall, UF currently has 20 incoming recruits in the class of 2026 to complement a productive transfer portal cycle.
Newberry, Florida, native Cory Durden has defied those odds and is now playing at the biggest stage of his career, playing for a chance to win Super Bowl LX.
When new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall began building his staff, he brought in a lot of new faces. But one UF coach stuck out as a must-keep: defensive line coach Gerald Chatman.
“Weak things break.” This is the mentality Rusty Whitt brings to Florida as its newly hired director of football performance.
T-minus 213 days. Gators football has just over 30 weeks until it is set to face Florida Atlantic University at the Swamp to kick off the 2026 regular season. Until then, Florida’s coaching staff will hone in on the winning culture of the program.
Solutions by The State News
