‘Long Way to Go’: Jon Sumrall Pushes Urgency at Florida Spring Practice

Jon Sumrall had plans to spend next week’s spring break in Italy with his wife for their 15th anniversary.

Instead, the new Florida coach will stay in Gainesville, focused on spring practice as the Gators continue installing their system.

“We were supposed to go to Italy for spring break, and then I took this job,” Sumrall said. “I got too much s— to do.”

Florida practiced in pads for the second time Tuesday morning, working on tempo, red-zone and third-down situations. Sumrall said the first padded workout was sharper than the second.

“We don’t have enough time to talk about everything I want to see improve,” Sumrall said. “We’ve got a long way to go, and I’m glad it’s March.”

Due to offseason transfers becoming the norm in the new landscape of college athletics, Sumrall pointed out how teams must treat spring ball like everyone is new — and the Gators are no different. Patience is key, but a struggle for the Gators head coach.

“I’m not patient at all,” Sumrall said. “I understand long-term and process and all this other stuff. But the process I want to do is win. Right now. Like today.”

The Gators mixed and matched players with different groups at practice. Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo, for example, worked with different offensive groups than they did during the first week of practice. 

The goal is maximizing reps for all position groups, and there is no established first team or second team.

“You don’t just walk in and you’re with the ones for the whole time you’re here,” Sumrall said. “This time of year, the depth chart is always written in sand.”

Many key players were full participants at practice, but some are still sidelined and non-contact. Wide receiver Dallas Wilson sat out, while linebacker Myles Graham remained non-contact and did not put pads.

A new setback for Florida was sophomore defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou, who was in a walking boot in the weight room Tuesday. He is suffering from a calf strain that will sideline him for practice Thursday, but expects to return after spring break. Freshman defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy was also seen in a walking boot, though his injury remains disclosed.

Legendary Gators coaches Steve Spurrier and Bob Stoops joined practice and addressed the team afterwards. The two led Florida to their first ever national championship in 1996.

“It’s so rare and unique to have a Heisman trophy winner and head coach who won a national championship at the same school that happens to live in town,” Sumrall said. “Just hearing him address our guys about urgency towards winning and what that looks like was really awesome.”

Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Football