Florida
Published August 9, 2026 at 1:27 PM · 7 pages
Where Florida stands right now: form, injuries and availability, roster movement, practice notes, and what coaches and media are actually saying.
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C O L L E G E F O O T B A L L T E A M R E P O R T Florida Gators 2026 Season G E N E R A T E D A U G U S T 9 , 2 0 2 6 0 1 : 1 9 P M I N T H I S R E P O R T 01 Overall Outlook 02 Visual Analytics 03 The Season: Played and Projected 04 Practice Notes 05 Roster News 06 Injury Report 07 What the Media Is Saying 08 What the Coaches Are Saying
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01 OVERALL OUTLOOK This section covers where the Florida Gators sit in August 2026: their preseason projections, the metrics that define their ceiling, and the two or three plotlines that will decide whether this season ends in a bowl game or another long winter. The 2026 Florida Gators are a team caught between a hard reset and a soft landing. They open the season 0-0 with a projected 5.7 wins on the year, and FPI has them as the 18th-best team in the country at 13.57 — respectable, but a far cry from the SEC's national title conversation. That 5.7-win projection is the number that matters, because it says the ratings can't quite decide if this is a 6-6 team or an 8-4 team, and that ambiguity is the entire story of this season. Everything pivots on three questions. The first is the quarterback competition between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr., which remains unsettled as fall camp grinds on 17. The second is whether a rebuilt roster that lost substantial production in a mass portal exodus can find cohesion before the SEC gauntlet begins. The third is whether the physical culture reset — the strength program overhaul Sumrall has made his signature early move — translates into a line that can hold up against SEC fronts. The schedule does the Gators no favors: the projected margins for Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Oklahoma are all within 1.8 points, which is a coin-flip conference slate by definition. If the Gators split those, they're a January bowl team. If they don't, that 5.7 projection starts looking generous. 02 VISUAL ANALYTICS Generated directly from the CollegeFootballData feeds for this matchup. The same visuals appear on every report, so numbers can be compared like-for-like from one game to the next. SEASON RESULTS · Scoring margin for every completed game. Wins are in the team's color, losses in the contrast color, so blowouts and near-misses are separable at a glance. EFFICIENCY PROFILE · Every advanced metric converted to a national percentile against all FBS teams, so the outer ring is always better regardless of which way the raw stat runs. Florida Gators · 2026 · Team Report Page 2 of 7
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FORM TREND · Week-by-week predicted points added on both sides of the ball. This is where a team trending up or sliding shows through, which season averages hide. TOP INDIVIDUAL IMPACT · The players who have actually moved the needle this season. Cross-reference against the injury and roster sections. THE ROAD AHEAD · Projected margin for every remaining game, from the SP+/FPI/Elo consensus with home-field advantage — the same baseline the matchup reports use. Bars below zero are games the ratings say this team should lose. 03 THE SEASON: PLAYED AND PROJECTED This section walks the full 2026 schedule: the games already decided, the ones still to come, and what the ratings say about each. Every result, margin, and win probability in this section comes from the data 1 — these are ratings-based estimates, not promises. No games have been played yet. The season opens Sept. 5 against Florida Atlantic, and the remaining schedule outlook provides Florida Gators · 2026 · Team Report Page 3 of 7
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projected margins and win probabilities for every game on the docket. WEEK OPPONENT H/A RESULT SCORE — — — — — The table above is empty because the season hasn't started — every game on Florida's schedule is still in front of them. The Gators open with two home games against Florida Atlantic and Campbell, then dive straight into SEC play starting with a road trip to Auburn in Week 3 1011. Here is what the ratings expect from the rest of the season: WEEK OPPONENT SITE PROJECTED MARGIN WIN PROBABILITY 1 Florida Atlantic Home +27.2 97.8% 2 Campbell Home — — 3 Auburn Away -0.8 47.6% 4 Ole Miss Home -0.1 49.7% 5 Missouri Away -1.0 47.0% 6 South Carolina Home +4.3 62.5% 7 Texas Away -15.7 12.2% 9 Georgia Neutral -11.3 20.1% 10 Oklahoma Home -1.8 44.7% 11 Kentucky Away +5.8 66.6% 12 Vanderbilt Home +7.0 69.8% 13 Florida State Away +1.9 55.6% The projections tell a clear story: the first two weeks are a preamble, and then the Gators step into a gauntlet where five of their next seven SEC opponents are projected as near coin-flips. The Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Oklahoma games are all within 1.8 points either way, which is the difference between a 7-5 season and a 5-7 disaster. The projected final record of 5.7 wins reflects that razor- thin margin of error 1. The likeliest stumble comes in Week 7 at Texas, where the ratings have Florida as a 15.7-point underdog with just a 12.2% win probability — that game is a scheduled loss. The Georgia game in Jacksonville isn't much better at 20.1%. The stretch that decides the season is Weeks 3 through 5: the back-to-back-to-back against Auburn, Ole Miss, and Missouri. Those three games, all projected within a point of even, will determine whether Florida enters the Texas gauntlet with momentum or desperation. The season-ending trip to Florida State, projected at +1.9 for the Gators, could be the difference between a bowl game and staying home. 04 PRACTICE NOTES This section covers the reporting from fall camp: who is standing out, who is limited, and what the coaching staff has revealed about their plans during the first week of August practices. Quarterback competition: The marquee storyline of fall camp is the open quarterback battle between transfer Aaron Philo and returning backup Tramell Jones Jr., and the coaching staff is in no hurry to resolve it. Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said after the third practice that there's no timeline for naming a starter, and head coach Jon Sumrall echoed that: "When we know, we'll know. Obviously, somebody has to take the first snap. We'll make that decision when it's right." 17. Both quarterbacks spoke to reporters after the session, which suggests the competition is genuine rather than a formality. The domino effect of DJ Lagway's departure to Baylor created this opening, and the staff seems determined to let it play out rather than force a decision that could backfire 17. Workload management: The Gators are taking a deliberately cautious approach to early camp. Some players were held out of the third practice after four consecutive days of work, though the specific names were not disclosed 18. The staff is also delaying weightlifting for the first four days of camp while players adjust to helmets and hydration, per strength coach Whitt — after that, the team will settle into a 50-minute lift schedule 19. Sumrall's reasoning is blunt: he tore turf out of the weight room because "I don't need turf in a weight room. We need weights in a weight room" 19. This is a program-wide reset of physical culture, and early camp is being managed with an eye toward surviving August rather than winning the first week of practice. Receiver watch: Dallas Wilson was full-go during the first practice, working on screen passes while wearing custom shoes to manage his foot health 8. His workload will be monitored, but his size and physicality give the offense a downfield target that was missing for much of 2025. Florida Gators · 2026 · Team Report Page 4 of 7
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05 ROSTER NEWS This section covers non-injury roster movement: depth-chart changes, transfers, position battles, and eligibility news. The verified transfer-portal transactions are listed first as ground truth, followed by researched news. Transfer portal — verified incoming (2026 cycle): The Gators brought in a massive haul of 27 players, led by four-star receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (0.94 rating from Auburn). The next tier includes three-star additions at nearly every position: quarterbacks (Aaron Philo, 0.89), running backs (London Montgomery, 0.89; Evan Pryor, 0.87), receivers (Micah Mays Jr., 0.88; Jaylen Lloyd, 0.85), tight ends (Luke Harpring, 0.88; Lacota Dippre, 0.87; Evan Chieca, 0.85), offensive linemen (TJ Shanahan Jr., 0.87; Harrison Moore, 0.87; Emeka Ugorji, 0.86; Eagan Boyer, 0.86), defensive linemen (Emmanuel Oyebadejo, 0.88; Mason Clinton, 0.86; DK Kalu, 0.85), cornerbacks (Jordy Lowery, 0.86; Kanye Clark, 0.85), safeties (DJ Coleman, 0.86; Cam Dooley, 0.86), a linebacker (TJ Bullard, 0.84), a long snapper (Hunter Solwold, 0.80), and specialists (kickers Liam Padron, Patrick Durkin; punter Alec Clark) 1. Transfer portal — verified outgoing (2026 cycle): The exodus was just as substantial. Four-star departures include quarterback DJ Lagway to Baylor, receiver Eugene Wilson III to LSU, receiver Aidan Mizell to UCLA, defensive lineman Michai Boireau to Ole Miss, and edge rusher Jayden Woods. Three-star losses hit nearly every position group, with receiver Naeshaun Montgomery going to Missouri, cornerbacks Sharif Denson and Jamroc Grimsley to Ole Miss and Mississippi State, safeties Jordan Castell and Aaron Gates to Kentucky, and running back Ja'Kobi Jackson to Ohio State 1. No non-injury roster news was found in the most recent research window. The depth chart remains unsettled at quarterback, and the coaching staff has made no official starter announcements as of Aug. 9 17. The biggest position-battle storyline — Philo vs. Jones — is covered in the practice notes section, and no suspensions or eligibility rulings have been reported. 06 INJURY REPORT This section covers medical items only, with status and expected return where reported. Two sources are presented separately: the live web search just run, and the stored injury feed built up over recent days. Live web research: The most recent live search (Aug. 9, 2026) returned the following items from fall camp reporting: Dijon Johnson, CB — Limited / pitch count. Johnson had a meniscus procedure in April and is in return-to-play protocol, but he ran 22.5 mph last week and is "rolling" per Sumrall. He's expected to be a full participant by game one 7. Dallas Wilson, WR — Full-go, workload managed. Wilson is fully cleared after his 2025 foot injury but is wearing custom shoes and will have his reps monitored 8. Jaylen Jordon, TE — Day-to-day. Out for a couple of days with a minor ailment; was doing rehab in the indoor practice facility 7. Kaiden Hall, S — Day-to-day. Soft-tissue issue, participation uncertain; was doing rehab 7. Fletcher Westphal, OL — Full-go. Participated fully in the first practice after wrist and hip issues over his first two seasons 7. Jahari Medlock, OL — Rehab, details undisclosed. Was doing rehab in the IPF during practice No. 1 9. Javian Toombs, CB — Rehab, details undisclosed. Among four players doing rehab during the first practice 9. Injury feed: The stored injury feed (last 14 days) adds context and longevity to the live items: Dijon Johnson, CB — Limited / pitch count. Johnson missed the final eight games of 2025, had a post-spring knee procedure, and is "way ahead of schedule" per Sumrall 34. Expected to be 100% during fall camp and ready for game one 34. Dallas Wilson, WR — Full-go, workload managed. Sumrall confirmed at SEC Media Day that Wilson is back to full activity after missing spring camp 58. Ben Hanks III, CB — Healthy, competing for a starting role. Could push for a starting job if Johnson misses time 6. Jaylen Jordon, TE — Day-to-day, minor ailment 7. Kaiden Hall, S — Day-to-day, soft-tissue issue 7. Fletcher Westphal, OL — Full-go 7. Jahari Medlock, OL — Rehab, details undisclosed 9. Javian Toombs, CB — Rehab, details undisclosed 9. 07 WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING This section covers national and local coverage, analyst takes, rankings movement, and betting-market sentiment about the Gators. The national narrative around Florida is one of cautious optimism built on a physical reset. FootballScoop highlighted the strength program overhaul, noting the Gators' average power clean climbed from 276 to 298 pounds, back squat jumped 46 pounds to 430, bench press went from 290 to 311, and deadlift from 435 to 469 — nearly 14,000 pounds of combined team improvement in one Florida Gators · 2026 · Team Report Page 5 of 7
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offseason. Sumrall's framing that the 4-8 team was pushed around by bigger opponents is the clearest diagnosis of last season's failures yet offered 19. The brightest spot in the preseason coverage is the running back room. Athlon Sports ranked Florida's unit No. 7 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC, led by 1,000-yard rusher Jadan Baugh with transfers London Montgomery and Evan Pryor added to the mix 32. Baugh has also landed on the Maxwell Award watch list, and Sumrall said, "There's a lot of areas where Jadan's already a proven player." 33. The media treatment of the quarterback battle has been measured but pointed — everyone knows the Gators are one mediocre September away from this turning into a controversy. No betting-market odds, spread movement, or gambling-specific sentiment appeared in the retrieved pages. The coverage has focused on the philosophical questions — can a new coach with a rebuilt roster find traction in the SEC? — rather than the money line. 08 WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING This section covers direct quotes and paraphrases from the head coach and coordinators from press conferences, radio shows, and media availabilities during the current reporting window. Jon Sumrall, Head Coach — Aug. 6, 2026, on the strength program overhaul and his first impressions of the facility: "The first time I walked in there, I was like, 'Okay, I didn't love some of the layout.' I'm not trying to take shots... There's a big patch of turf in the weight room. We got 120 yards of turf right outside. I don't need turf in a weight room. We need weights in a weight room." 19. Sumrall's broader point was that he likes where this team is "much more than he did in January" — a telling admission about how far the previous regime's roster had fallen 19. Jon Sumrall, Head Coach — Aug. 7, 2026, on the quarterback competition: "When we know, we'll know. Obviously, somebody has to take the first snap. We'll make that decision when it's right." 17. Buster Faulkner, Offensive Coordinator — Aug. 7, 2026, on the same competition: Faulkner said there is no timeline for naming a starter between Philo and Jones, deferring the decision to whenever the staff feels comfortable 17. The coordinator quotes from February — Faulkner on his Air Raid-influenced offense 36 and defensive coordinator Brad White on leaving Kentucky and installing his defensive scheme 37 — fell outside the 14-day reporting window and were excluded from this section. The coaching message through the first week of camp has been consistent: patience at quarterback, urgency everywhere else. SOURCES 1. College Football Data API (CollegeFootballData) https://collegefootballdata.com 2. College football injury feed (Injury feed) https://www.rotowire.com/cfootball/news.php 3. Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson nearing 100% ahead of fall camp (Gators Wire (USA Today)) https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/gators/football/2026/07/26/florida- football-dijon-johnson-injury-update-fall-camp/91030325007/ 4. Dijon Johnson underwent knee surgery after spring, may be limited in fall camp (Sports Illustrated – Florida Gators on SI) https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/gators-db-underwent-knee-surgery-after- spring-camp-per-report-01ky5e803k42 5. Dallas Wilson full-go for fall camp after foot injury (Sports Illustrated – Florida Gators on SI) https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/gators-hc-jon-sumrall-provides-positive- update-on-dallas-wilson-01ky53qgbr7z 6. Ben Hanks III could push for starting role if Johnson misses time (Sports Illustrated – Florida Gators on SI) https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/five-players-answer-florida-biggest-question- marks-2026-01kyx9dngban 7. Sumrall releases first injury report of Gators' 2026 fall camp (Sports Illustrated) https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/sumrall-releases-first-injury-report-gators- 2026-fall-camp-01kz6tj82a31 8. Florida WR Dallas Wilson fully cleared but workload managed in camp (The Independent Florida Alligator) https://www.alligator.org/article/2026/08/fall-football-opening-presser-2026 9. Florida OL Jahari Medlock doing rehab in IPF during practice No. 1 (Sports Illustrated - Gators on SI) https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-2026-fall-camp-practice- report-no-1-01kz9ac0mjvf 10. 2026 Football Schedule - Florida Gators https://floridagators.com/sports/football/schedule 11. Kickoff Windows Released for Gators' 2026 Schedule - Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kickoff-windows-released-gators-2026- 235338695.html 12. Florida Gators Schedule 2026-27 - CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/teams/FLA/florida-gators/schedule/ 13. Florida Gators 2026 Regular Season NCAAF Fixtures - ESPN (UK) https://www.espn.co.uk/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/57 21. Florida football 2026 running backs position breakdown - Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/florida-football-2026-running-backs-080202376.html 22. Florida football's transfer QB Aaron Philo impresses an opposing coach - Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/florida-footballs-transfer-qb-aaron-130136575.html 23. Aaron Philo Performance In Gators QB Race https://florida-football.com/aaron-philo-performance-in-gators-qb/ 24. Aaron Philo Starting Role in Florida QB Race https://florida-football.com/aaron-philo-starting-role/ 25. Florida transfer Aaron Philo competes against Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting quarterback position https://college-football.fiorreports.com/florida-transfer-aaron-philo-competes- quarterback/ 26. Jesuit graduate Will Griffin soaks in life as Florida football quarterback | FOX 13 Tampa Bay https://www.fox13news.com/sports/jesuit-graduate-will-griffin-soaks-in-life-florida- football-quarterback 27. How the Florida Gators Replace Jake Slaughter After Being Drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers - Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/florida-gators-replace-jake-slaughter-011728953.html 28. Florida’s Aaron Philo battles Tramell Jones Jr. after portal acquisition https://college-football.fiorreports.com/florida-aaron-philo-battles-tramell-jones-jr- portal-acquisition/ 29. Difficult 2025, New Opportunity Energizing Gators Corner Dijon Johnson https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/difficult-2025-new-opportunity-energizing- gators-corner-dijon-johnson-01kkymhh4j7j 30. Freshman receiver Dallas Wilson suffers lower left leg injury https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/freshman-receiver-dallas-wilson-suffers-lower- left-leg-injury/ 31. Florida football WR Eugene Wilson III’s recovery a lesson in patience and family https://eu.swtimes.com/story/sports/college/2025/09/04/florida-football-wr-eugene- wilson-iiis-recovery-a-lesson-in-patience-and-family/85887546007/ 32. Florida football ranked among the nation's top running back units (Gators Wire (USA Today)) https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/gators/football/2026/08/03/florida- football-top-running-back-rankings-athlon/91150615007/ 33. Florida Gators RB Jadan Baugh named to Maxwell Award watch list (On3) https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-gators/news/florida-gators-rb-jadan-baugh-named- to-maxwell-award-watch-list/ 34. Florida seeks rivalry turnaround against Georgia football in Atlanta - AOL Florida Gators · 2026 · Team Report Page 6 of 7
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14. Florida Gators Schedule - 2026-27 NCAAF Games - The Athletic https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/college-football/team/florida-gators-college- football/schedule/ 15. Florida Gators 2026 Season Preview - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER8SHIrGuYA 16. 2026 Florida Football Schedule | FBSchedules.com https://fbschedules.com/2026-florida-football-schedule/ 17. Sumrall, Faulkner offer no timeline in Philo-Jones QB competition (Florida Gators official site) https://floridagators.com/news/2026/8/7/football-from-lagway-to-philo-and-jones-the- dominoes-behind-floridas-qb-battle-aaron-philo-tramell-jones-dj-lagway 18. Some players held out of Florida's third fall practice (Bluewater Healthy Living (syndicated)) https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/national-news/florida/quarterbacks-throwing- and-other-takeaways-from-florida-football-fall-practice/ 19. Florida delays weightlifting for first four days of camp (FootballScoop) https://www.footballscoop.com/2026/08/06/floridas-jon-sumrall-on-tearing-turf-from- the-weight-room-i-dont-need-turf-in-a-weight-room 20. Florida Just Got An Early Boost In One Crucial Spot | Fanrecap.com https://fanrecap.com/florida-gators/florida-just-got-an-early-boost-in-one-crucial-spot-- HlNAy https://www.aol.com/articles/florida-seeks-rivalry-turnaround-against-090315000.html 35. Jadan Baugh cracks PFF’s top 50 college football players entering 2026 - Prepprospectreport https://prepprospectreport.com/jadan-baugh-cracks-pffs-top-50-college-football- players-entering-2026/ 36. Florida football OC Buster Faulkner on his innovative offense, Air Raid roots https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/college/football/2026/02/06/florida-football-oc- buster-faulkner-on-his-innovative-offense-air-raid-roots/88431954007/ 37. New Florida football DC Brad White discusses leaving UK, defense scheme https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/college/football/2026/02/07/new-florida-football-dc- brad-white-discusses-leaving-uk-defense-scheme/88432183007/ 38. Florida looks to change fortunes in rivalry against Georgia in Atlanta https://www.savannahnow.com/story/sports/college/bulldogs-extra/2026/07/24/georgia- football-florida-gators-atlanta-jon-sumrall-kirby-smart/90940451007/ 39. New Florida football DC Brad White discusses leaving UK, defense scheme https://www.weeklycitizen.com/story/sports/college/football/2026/02/07/new-florida- football-dc-brad-white-discusses-leaving-uk-defense-scheme/88432183007/ Florida Gators · 2026 · Team Report Page 7 of 7
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