
2026 College Football Preview: Teams Poised for Breakout Seasons
A look at the coaches, transfers and key returning players who could reshape the 2026 landscape, highlighting LSU, South Carolina, Houston, Penn State, Florida and USC.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Buster Faulkner across Football.

A look at the coaches, transfers and key returning players who could reshape the 2026 landscape, highlighting LSU, South Carolina, Houston, Penn State, Florida and USC.
Florida's new offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner, blends the strategic brilliance of Steve Spurrier with the dynamic, physical style of Urban Meyer to overhaul a struggling offense and energize the Gators' fan base.

Former Gators All‑American Jake Slaughter is battling for a left‑guard spot with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Georgia Tech transfer Harrison Moore is gearing up to fill his shoes at UF. Both share a love of fishing and hunting, and a recent prank highlights Slaughter’s playful reputation.
After a coaching transition, Florida Gators redshirt sophomore receiver TJ Abrams decided to remain in-state, bringing a blend of speed, work ethic, and experience to a position group reshaped by transfers and returning talent.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Aaron Philo discusses the quarterback battle with Tramell Jones Jr., his conditioning breakthroughs, and the growing cohesion among Florida's offensive skill players as the 2026 season approaches.
Florida’s fall camp opened with intense quarterback work, featuring redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. vying for the starting role, while key position battles and positional work continue to shape the roster.
Florida's fall practice on August 7 introduced a morning schedule, highlighted a quarterback competition between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr., and showcased early work at key positions ahead of the season opener.
Quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. are vying for the Gators' opening‑game role, sharing golf outings, steak dinners and mutual respect while coaches stress performance on third‑down drills.

Jon Sumrall begins his head coaching tenure at the University of Florida, overseeing a strengthened roster and a quarterback duel ahead of the season‑opening clash with Florida Atlantic.
With fall camp set to begin Aug. 5, Florida’s coaching staff evaluates a deep quarterback race, a revamped receiving corps and a host of defensive battles as the team readies for a 12‑game conference slate.

A decade of high‑scoring Air Raid and spread offenses has given way to a more balanced, defense‑driven landscape in the FBS.

Coach Jon Sumrall discusses the unsettled state of Florida’s offensive line, spotlighting transfer standouts Harrison Moore and TJ Shanahan Jr. as the team seeks continuity and cohesion for the upcoming season.

A 4‑8 season ended Billy Napier’s tenure, but a win over preseason No. 1 Texas and a new coaching staff have reignited hopes that the Gators can disrupt the 2026 College Football Playoff picture.

The Florida Gators aim to rebound in the 2026 season after a disappointing 2025 campaign, driven by a new coaching staff, key transfer portal additions, and high expectations from analysts.

Urban Meyer’s latest top‑10 college football poll spotlights the Gators, who are entering a pivotal season under head coach Jon Sumrall, a $44.7 million, six‑year hire who brings a fresh staff and a roster heavy with transfers.

Florida’s aggressive offseason moves, highlighted by new leadership and key transfers, aim to propel the Gators back to SEC prominence.
Entering his junior season, Florida’s Jadan Baugh is poised to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards, a target that reflects both his past production and the team's evolving offensive strategy under new leadership.
A look at how a father‑son partnership, shaped by COVID‑19 workouts and a shared football legacy, is influencing the Gators’ receiving corps.
Florida’s offense boasts six returning receivers, five transfers and three true freshmen, with health questions surrounding key playmakers as the team eyes a breakthrough performance.
During the pandemic, wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. trained with his father, a former Grambling State quarterback, using unconventional methods inspired by the cartoon 'Pinky and the Brain.' Now at Florida, he’s chasing a spot in a deep receiver room.
Florida’s pass‑catching group enters the upcoming season with unprecedented depth, health optimism and a quest for a milestone that has eluded the program for two decades.
In a recent analysis, Nick Saban highlighted the potential of Florida’s new head coach Jon Sumrall, commending the offensive staff and the arrival of quarterback Aaron Philo, while noting the need to rebuild the offensive line.

The Gators will open fall camp on August 5, hold scrimmages on August 15 and 22, and conclude preparation before facing Florida Atlantic on September 5. Head coach Jon Sumrall will meet the media on August 4 to discuss offseason work, while a quarterback battle between Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo headlines the roster battle. Director of Football Performance Rusty Whitt’s ‘The Gauntlet’ program aims to build mental and physical resilience.
The Florida Gators are deep into fall camp with a quarterback duel that could shape their 2026 season. Coach Jon Sumrall emphasizes collaboration and a lack of a set timeline for naming a starter.