With the transfer portal window officially closed, Florida’s 2026 roster is largely locked in-and the Jon Sumrall era is officially underway in Gainesville. The Gators have already kicked off offseason workouts, and fans are starting to get a glimpse of the new culture being built behind the scenes. One thing stood out immediately: no Gator logos on the players’ practice gear.
That’s not a wardrobe oversight-it’s a message.
In a video shared on social media earlier this week, Florida players were seen grinding through early workouts without the iconic Gator emblem anywhere in sight. No logos on the shirts.
No logos on the shorts. Just plain gear and a whole lot of sweat.
When asked about it, Sumrall didn’t mince words.
“Gotta earn it. Gotta earn the logo,” he said during a media appearance at Saturday’s basketball game in Gainesville.
“We ain’t earned it yet. We haven’t earned a damn thing.
All we’ve got is our name. Where are you gonna put your freaking name on every day?
So to wear the Florida Gator logo, to wear the Gators across your helmet and to wear the Gator head, you got to earn that.”
That mindset is already setting the tone for what this new chapter of Florida football is going to look like. It’s not just about showing up-it’s about proving you belong.
Sumrall is building a culture rooted in accountability, toughness, and pride in the program. And for now, that means stripping things down to the basics.
No logo. No gimmicks. Just hard work.
This approach isn’t just symbolic-it’s strategic. It sends a clear message to the locker room: nothing is given, everything is earned. It’s the kind of mentality that resonates with players who are hungry to turn things around and restore Florida to national relevance.
The work is only just beginning. Helmets and pads will come soon enough, with spring practice kicking off on March 3.
The team is scheduled for 15 sessions, all leading up to the annual Orange & Blue Game on April 11. That will be the first real opportunity for fans to see what this new-look Gators squad is all about under Sumrall’s leadership.
But for now, the focus is on the grind. No logos.
Just names. Just effort.
Just the beginning of a new identity in Gainesville.