‘On Cloud Nine’: Florida Opens Spring Practice as Jon Sumrall Era Begins
The first day of spring practice may not have begun until 8 a.m. Tuesday, but coach Jon Sumrall was wide awake at 4 a.m.
“I was excited… I freaking love practice,” Sumrall said. “And being able to do it at the University of Florida, I’m still on cloud nine a little bit.”
Daunting the Gators logo for the first time this offseason, Florida football began spring camp, although key players from last season were limited. Wideout Dallas Wilson was a non-participant, and linebacker Myles Graham wore an orange non-contact jersey and worked the sled.
The new faces were both wearing pads and blowing whistles. Sumrall’s virtually brand-new coaching staff was full of energy on the first day of camp. Offensive Coordinator Buster Faulkner was extremely vocal while his offense worked. New QB transfer Aaron Philo was all smiles while warming up with returning Gators QB Tramell Jones Jr. The two will likely battle for the starting QB position.
Other core players from the Gators’ last season were full participants in practice. Edge Jayden Woods and wide receiver Vernell Brown III flashed their new numbers, wearing 0 and 1, respectively. Running back Jadan Baugh wore his signature No. 13, picking up where he left off last season.
“0 to me represents staying grounded and being consistent,” Woods said on the switch. “I attribute that to my dad.”
Woods joked that he did not run the decision to switch from 15 to 0 by Wingo, who wore the number before Woods did.
“I just talked to him last night, and it didn’t come up. I hope [he’s] not [upset],” Woods chuckled.
Sumrall hit on how the No. 1 is an important number to him and the Gators. Former Gator, Percy Harvin, wore the signature number back when Florida won two national championships in 2006 and 2008. Safety Bryce Thornton also switched to 1 this season.
“I’m not going to put a player in the number 1 jersey if they’re not doing things the right way from a leadership standpoint,” Sumrall said. “Both guys requested it, and I told them I’d watch them work for it and decide if they could wear it.”
Sumrall thought the energy the players and staff brought to practice met his standards. He ran around the field, very involved in the drills himself at practice.
“I like a lot about what happened today. Everyone gets excited for day one,” he said. “The trick is great football teams get excited about every day, so we have to sustain that energy and enthusiasm about what we’re doing.”
Sumrall also gave an injury report, indicating that Wilson was out as a precaution. Wilson missed a large portion of practice and eight games last year with a foot injury.
“Dallas is being held out of an abundance of caution,” he said. “He would play if we had a game this week. If we’re playing a game, he’s practicing.”
Gators strength coach Rusty Whitt, who had an entire list of players’ heights and weights, spoke shortly after Sumrall. Body composition was a main point Whitt wanted to improve this offseason, and he feels Florida has gotten much stronger physically.
“Lagonza Hayward might be pound-for-pound the strongest DB in the SEC,” Whitt said about the sophomore safety.
Whitt gave an overview of “The Gauntlet,” which Florida defeated last Wednesday. Spring camp would not begin until the Gators conquered it, according to Whitt and Sumrall.
Graham and Woods wrapped up Tuesday’s press conference after practice. Graham answered questions about his availability over the past few weeks and looking ahead. Graham led the Gators in total tackles last season, with Woods turning into the veteran of the edge rushing group that lost Caleb Banks and Tyreak Sapp to the combine.
“I’m very much itching. I’m fiending to get out there,” he said. “I miss it, just that knack and chip on my shoulder that I want to get out there. But I’m close, and I’ll be out there this spring, for sure.”
Like last season, Graham is taking on a leadership role and made sure he reached out to all of the guys about returning to the team this offseason. Graham told them they were all the pieces he, Sumrall and Florida needed to win.
Woods’ decision to come back was between the Gators and the Texas Longhorns. The uncertainty about a new staff was something that Woods needed to talk with his family about when he went home for winter break.
“It wasn’t a money decision. It was truly making sure I make the best decision for my family and me,” he said. “Myles saw that and respected it. I could ask him questions about people and he was a good piece for me.”
Woods added that seeing the other guys return to the program did not affect his decision to return, but added that it was nice to see them return. He ultimately decided after praying on it in his home.
“Derek Wingo helped me a ton. He stayed very unbiased, which I appreciated,” Woods said. “He presented me the information and then said, ‘Just take it for what it is.’”
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Football
