Florida’s football program has vaulted 49 positions in the latest CBS Sports preseason poll, jumping from No. 71 a year ago to No. 22 as the 2026 season approaches.
The surge comes after a turbulent 2025 campaign marked by injuries and the departure of head coach Billy Napier, a period that left the roster ranked outside the top 70 despite flashes of talent.
Since the arrival of Jon Sumrall, the team has combined the retention of key players with a series of strategic transfers, reshaping the squad into what analysts describe as a firm top‑30 contender.
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College football writer Chip Patterson credits the rise to Sumrall’s ability to lock in top talent while adding impactful newcomers through the transfer portal, a formula that has restored optimism around the program.
The Gators now stand as the eighth SEC team inside the top 25, trailing only powerhouses such as Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, while Missouri sits just outside at No. 23.
Florida opens its season against Florida Atlantic on September 5, a matchup that will test the new depth and chemistry forged under Sumrall’s guidance.