New-look Florida Offense Out to Make its Mark Against FAU
Florida’s offense enters the 2026 season with plenty of talent, but also plenty to prove.
The Gators are transitioning into a new offensive system under coordinator Buster Faulkner, and while the installation has brought its share of challenges, the group has steadily improved through the offseason.
Faulkner told the media Tuesday the biggest area of growth is Florida’s ability to run the ball.
“By the end of camp, I was really pleased where we were at,” Faulkner said. “Then I thought the backs did a much better job, including Jadan (Baugh), of understanding what they’re seeing.”
The improvement up front has given Florida confidence heading into Saturday’s opener against Florida Atlantic. The offensive line has begun to take shape, with Bryce Lovett emerging as the projected starter at left tackle after making the transition during preseason camp.
Lovett’s transition has been one of the more notable developments along the line. Florida coach Jon Sumrall praised Lovett’s performance after one of the team’s scrimmages in August, saying Lovett answered a challenge from the coaching staff and stood out from the opening drive.
The projected starting offensive line features Lovett at left tackle, Knijeah Harris at left guard, Harrison Moore at center, TJ Shanahan at right guard and Emeka Ugorji at right tackle. As the group continues to develop, Sumrall emphasized Aug. 24 the importance of building chemistry and working together in Florida’s combination-blocking scheme.
Behind the line, Florida has a deep running back room led by Baugh, who said he spent the offseason becoming a more complete back, focusing on pass protection, his understanding of the offense and the details that come with playing the position.
The junior said the new system has challenged him, but those challenges have helped him grow.
“I feel like from the youngest guy in our room to the oldest guy in our room, we can all learn from each other,” Baugh said.
Florida also has plenty of depth behind Baugh, giving Faulkner the flexibility to distribute carries throughout the season. Faulkner said the Gators expect to use multiple backs while being mindful of keeping Baugh fresh for the long season.
Florida’s identity could extend beyond the run game. Baugh said the offense wants to be physical and tough while also having a mindset of relentlessness.
“I feel we’re going to be very physical,” Baugh said. “We’re going to take shots down the field.”
The biggest storyline, however, comes from the quarterback position.
Aaron Philo won the starting job for Week 1 over Tramell Jones Jr. following a competition Faulkner said was decided by the quarterbacks’ overall body of work. Faulkner ultimately determined that Philo gives the Gators their best chance to win right now, pointing to his decisiveness.
“[Philo] has a unique ability to cut it loose,” Faulkner said. “He’s not afraid to rip it.”
Philo will have a deep group of receivers around him, including Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
Wilson returns to the lineup after an injury cut his freshman season short. He made an immediate impact when he returned from a foot injury against Texas last season, catching six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in Florida’s upset win. But after reinjuring the foot against Georgia three weeks later, Wilson was forced to miss the remainder of the season.
Now fully cleared, Wilson gives Florida another proven playmaker on the outside. Faulkner said Wilson still needs to regain some of the timing and rhythm that comes with playing alongside the quarterbacks, particularly after missing spring practice, but the coaching staff expects plenty from him.
“He hasn’t played a lot of football over the last couple of years, obviously, being in and out of the lineup, so he still needs those reps to polish up timing and continue to work on his ball skills,” Faulkner said. “We’re going to ask him to do a lot. I think he’s got a chance to be a special player.”
Wilson has also grown into a leadership role within the receiver room during fall camp, adding to the chemistry of a group that Brown believes can push one another to improve.
Brown said he believes the competition within the room can make Florida better. He described the receiver group as a “brotherhood,” with players pushing one another while remaining supportive when someone else gets the opportunity to make a play, he said Tuesday.
“We all have a real relationship beyond the game, and we all genuinely care about each other,” Brown said.
Brown said he’s also seen the game slow down for him as he has developed his understanding of defensive structures and focused more on winning with technique.
“The game slowed down a lot,” Brown said. “I feel like I really developed and understand the defenses and how they work.”
That growth could be important for a Florida offense that plans to play fast and create opportunities for its playmakers. Brown said the receiver room believes it has multiple players capable of changing a game, pointing to the depth of talent around him.
The talent is there. The question is how quickly it translates this month.
“We have to go out there and execute that,” Baugh said. “We have to get each and every single guy out there on the team to buy into that process.”
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Football
