“Need to get tougher”: Sumrall Highlights Key Needs for Florida Football Post-Spring Game
WRUF’s Kevin Winter spoke to football head coach Jon Sumrall about the team’s status following spring scrimmages and heading into summer practices.
In his first season at UF, Coach Sumrall switched up the format of the Orange and Blue game. In past years, the teams were split evenly, but this year they played an offense-defense style game. The final score was Blue 45, Orange 42.
“It was competitive back and forth on both sides,” Sumrall said. “I saw guys on both sides of the football making plays.”
The main focus of the game for both the crowd and the staff was the quarterback position. Sumrall explained that they never expected to officially name a starter after that game, rather that they wanted to see who was willing to step into a leadership position.
“You can’t just be individually talented and have no effect on other people,” Sumrall told Winter.
He does not want to force a timeline for choosing a starting quarterback, instead they will continue to evaluate how the players perform alongside each other. He emphasized that ultimately it is not the coaches who decide the lineup, it’s the players.
Winter asked Sumrall about what he wanted to see from his offensive line. Sumrall commented on their strength and toughness, wanting them to play with an edge.
“The only way I know to do that is to be physical and strong,” Sumrall said. “And mentally the type of group that wants to maul somebody.”
Sumrall spoke about the importance of developing each and every player, saying that he and the Director of Football Performance Coach Rusty Whitt held individual meetings with each of the 111 players on the roster following the Orange and Blue game.
“We give them honest feedback. I think everybody’s so scared of maybe hurting feelings. I’m like, man, I don’t know how anybody gets better without you telling them the truth.”
The interview concluded with talks about recruiting. With the 2027 recruiting class, Sumrall hopes to continue crafting a roster that corresponds well with the current players and coaching staff.
“I tell the recruits– don’t take my word for what this looks like if you come here. Go ask the players.”
Florida’s 2027 recruiting class is ranked No. 16 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC by 247 Sports. With one five-star and three four-star recruits, Sumrall has already begun investing in the team’s future.
The players will return to campus on May 11, starting mandatory summer workouts shortly after.
Category: College Football, Football, Gator Sports, Gators Football, SEC
