Florida will keep one of its most recognizable gameday traditions rolling into the 2026 season, and the person getting the call is a familiar name to Gator fans.
Former Florida running back Ciatrick Fason will serve as the honorary Mr. Two Bits before kickoff of Saturday’s season-opener against Florida Atlantic. Fason starred for the Gators from 2002-04 and now works as the head coach at Neptune Beach Fletcher High.
The announcement came from Florida’s football account on Sept. 1, 2026, with Fason set to lead the cheer as the Gators open the year in the Jon Sumrall era. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Fason’s connection to Sumrall goes back to an old SEC matchup neither man is likely eager to relive from Kentucky’s side. As FloridaGators.com writer Chris Harry noted, Sumrall was a Wildcats linebacker when Fason delivered one of the biggest games of his Florida career. In that 20-3 win over Kentucky, Fason ran for 210 yards and a touchdown, while Sumrall finished with a team-high eight tackles.
Now, the two are on the same side of the orange-and-blue divide, and Fason came away impressed by a recent brief meeting with the new Florida coach. He said Sumrall and linebackers coach Bam Hardmon made time to stop and say hello on the way to the Jacksonville airport.
“They didn’t have a lot of time, but Coach Sumrall just wanted to say hello,” Fason recalled to Harry. “It just showed what kind of person he is. I think he’s an amazing guy.”
That quick encounter only added to what Fason has already taken in from watching Sumrall work.
“Over the years, with the all the coaches that have come through here from Urban [Meyer] to now, everyone has talked about what the season is going to look like. We’ve been optimistic and we’ve put together a good season here and there,” Fason told Harry.
“But hearing about how Coach Sumrall is doing his thing, watching him on Twitter and YouTube, and seeing him so hands-on, calling out the linebackers, calling out guys when he thinks they’re being soft … I like this guy at the helm. I like his attitude.
He’s a competitor.”
Fason also had high praise for Florida’s backfield after Jadan Baugh’s breakout performance last season. Baugh became the first Gator since Fason to top 200 rushing yards in a game when he piled up 266 yards against Florida State, and Fason made it clear he was a believer.
“I fell in love with that guy,” Fason said to Harry. “Run that Baugh!”
That’s the backdrop as Florida opens the season against Florida Atlantic, with Fason helping set the tone before the first snap.
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