The preseason poll released by USA Today placed the Florida Gators ninth among SEC teams, a position that reflects both the program’s recent struggles and the high expectations placed on new leadership.
Coach Jon Sumrall, who took over after a 4‑8 season in 2025, arrives with a staff that includes offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, formerly of Georgia Tech, and defensive coordinator Brad White, a Kentucky alum.
Sumrall emphasized that the team is focused on maximizing the talent of junior running back Jadan Baugh, who topped the SEC in rushing yards last season with 1,170 and ten touchdowns.
Despite Baugh’s production, the poll also noted that Florida was one of only four schools without a representative on the preseason All‑SEC team, underscoring the perceived gap between the Gators and traditional powerhouses.
Media Days and Outlook
At the upcoming SEC media days in Tampa on July 22, Sumrall will join Baugh, Myles Graham and Vernell Brown III to discuss the upcoming season, while the coaching staff hopes to rally support.
The projected order of finish for 2026 places Texas and Georgia at the top, followed by a cluster of contenders that includes Ole Miss, Missouri and the Gators, who are expected to battle for a mid‑table finish.
While the road ahead is challenging, the new coordinators bring experience that could help Florida close the gap and perhaps surprise those who have written them off.