Football Reporter 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)
Through Florida’s six spring practices, quarterbacks Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo have jumped ahead as frontrunners for this year’s starting spot. However, Sumrall has made it clear that the quarterback room will remain in competition up until – and even into – the 2026 season.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Solutions by The State News
