TAMPA — Florida coach Jon Sumrall made his debut at SEC Media Days on July 22 and made the same kind of impression league-wide he has made locally since being hired in December.
Energetic. Honest. Funny. Passionate.
Sumrall was on the big stage for 27 minutes, fielding questions about all things Gators, his previous head-coaching stops at Troy and Tulane, his playing career at Kentucky and being recognized this summer in the Bahamas.
Here are four things about the Gators after Sumrall, running back Jadan Baugh, receiver Vernell Brown III and linebacker Myles Graham met with reporters:
1. Offensive line responds to challenge
After the spring game in April, Sumrall criticized the offensive line’s lack of strength, a public call-out for them to hit the weight room in the summer.
Did it register with the players?
“The biggest thing that group has done this summer is gotten stronger,” Sumrall said. “I was very underwhelmed with our strength when I got to Gainesville. The weight being moved wasn’t up to the standard I’m comfortable with. The guys in that room, they’ve gotten comfortable pushing heavy weight. They’ve improved.”
Unclear is how the Gators will line up for the Sept. 5 opener against Florida Atlantic.
“I don’t think we’re set with the best five,” Sumrall said.
The Gators added center Harrison Moore (Georgia Tech), tackle Emeka Ugorji (Stanford) and guard T.J. Shanahan (Penn State) in the portal and return left guard Knijeah Harris and left tackle Caden Jones (who played right tackle last year).
Sumrall said Moore and Shanahan have “both kind of elevated the rhythm that room marches to.”
2. Dallas Wilson ready to go
Receiver Dallas Wilson (foot) was limited in spring practice and didn’t play in the spring game, but is now clear to participate.
Wilson caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s win over Texas, but missed eight games because of injury. He has been fitted with specialty cleats by Nike.
Sumrall couldn’t contain his excitement when asked about Wilson
“Dallas is back!” Sumrall said. “I’m fired up about that. He has great energy and is really hard-working. He’s the kind of guy who walks into a room and the temperature changes. He has that upbeat vibe. He’s hit great speed numbers this summer. If there are any limitations, it’s from me because we’re going to be smart. There is a certain amount of work he needs to be ready to play but we’re also going to make sure we get him to Saturdays.”
3. About nine-game schedule
Sumrall’s first SEC season will be the first nine-game SEC season. Asked for his thoughts, he said. …
“I wasn’t in the league yet (when that was approved),” Sumrall said. “We’re going to play anybody, anywhere, anytime. I’m not going to whine and complain about being an SEC head coach.”
4. New mindset
Baugh said the approach by Sumrall and his mostly new coaching staff quickly registered with the players.
“The coaching staff came in with fire in their eyes and the fire has spread throughout the team,” Baugh said. “They were just ready to go and I was ready to play right then and there. The main messages that I got from the staff in general is when things are going bad, we say, ‘All good.’ When we’re facing adversity, we say, ‘All good,’ because that’s what builds character.”
Said Sumrall: “I’m a firm believer that the only disability in life is a bad attitude. When things go back, I’m still going to have a positive attitude. That’s not purple skies and butterflies. We’re going to have some moments that don’t go our way. But when adversity hits, I don’t change.”
Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@gannett.com or on X at @ryanohalloran. Listen to Ryan on 1010AM on Tuesdays (6:35 p.m. on “Into The Night”), Thursdays (1:15 on “XL Primetime”) and Fridays (4-6 p.m. on “The Lead”).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jon Sumrall says UF offensive line answered challenge to add strength
Reporting by Ryan O’Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan O'Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
