The college football season ended Monday with Indiana beating Miami in the national championship game. That means it’s time for way-too-early rankings for the 2026 season, and The Athletic isn’t wasting any time.
Stewart Mandel tried his hand at naming the top 25 teams before spring practices get underway, and the Florida Gators made an appearance at the very bottom of the list. Despite going 4-8 this season, the Gators get the nod from Mandel over programs such as Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Penn State and Virginia. Florida is the only team with a sub-.500 record on this top 25.
Why?
Mandel has faith that Jon Sumrall can turn this program around, based on his strong retention of top skill position players over the last month.
“Florida could make a big jump in Jon Sumrall’s first season after retaining most of its key players (minus QB DJ Lagway), especially at the skill positions,” Mandel wrote. “New OC Buster Faulkner trusts his former Georgia Tech quarterback, Philo, who attempted 102 passes over the last two seasons in relief of star Haynes King. O-line will be a question. Though the Gators struggled on defense, Sumrall likes what he has. Only seven of his 25 portal additions are defenders.”
Sumrall has his work cut out for him, but keeping running Jadan Baugh and receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson give Philo plenty of talent to work with. There’s also Eric Singleton Jr., who was at Georgia Tech before spending last season with Auburn. He should slot into Faulkner’s scheme easily.
On defense, Sumrall retained defensive end Jayden Woods, linebacker Myles Graham, and safety Bryce Thornton, giving him proven veterans at each level. A defense-first coach, Sumrall should be able to tighten things up relatively quickly.
The Athletic’s way-too-early top 25
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida makes appearance in The Athletic’s way-too-early top 25
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
