Florida’s Jon Sumrall Talks First Signing Class, Roster Overhaul, and the Wild World of College Football Eligibility
On National Signing Day, new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall met with the media and gave fans a first real glimpse into the early stages of his rebuild in Gainesville. The Gators are in the middle of a full-scale roster transformation, and Sumrall didn’t shy away from acknowledging just how fresh everything still feels - from the players to the staff to the rapidly changing rules of college football.
Sumrall opened up about the whirlwind of roster building that’s taken place since he took the job. Florida brought in 20 high school signees and added 30 more players through the transfer portal.
That’s 50 new faces - a staggering number even in today’s transfer-heavy era. For Sumrall, that means the evaluation process is still very much in progress.
“I like where we’re at in a lot of ways. Don’t really know where we’re at in a lot of ways, too,” he said. “I’m not fully comfortable fully assessing our roster because I’ve been with them for a month-ish.”
That kind of honesty is rare - and refreshing. Sumrall knows he’s still in the early chapters of figuring out what this team is made of. But even in a short amount of time, certain players are already starting to pop.
Among the early standouts in winter workouts? Bailey Stockton, who’s quickly earned a reputation as a relentless competitor.
“He does not want to lose. He likes competing,” Sumrall said.
Another player drawing early praise is Emmanuel Oyebadejo, a name Sumrall mentioned with genuine excitement.
“He’s got a chance to be special. He’s gifted. He’s a great kid, awesome family.”
Sumrall also highlighted all four offensive line newcomers, calling them a group that’s already made an impression. Cam Dooley, a long and athletic defender, and transfer defensive back Kanye Clark (from UCLA) have also turned heads. Clark, in particular, has shown real burst during movement drills.
Then there’s G’Nivre Carr - a 6-foot-4, 336-pound offensive lineman from Ocala, who played his high school ball at IMG Academy. Carr was a 3-star prospect and committed to Florida back in June. What’s stood out so far is his maturity, something Sumrall clearly values as he builds a new culture.
“He’s got a maturity about him that’s very impressive.”
That culture-building has been a major focus for Sumrall since day one. And while he’s still getting to know his players, he’s already laying the foundation for what he wants this program to be about - responsibility, trust, and resilience.
“I want us to be connected and care about each other and fight for each other and bring it every day and have each other’s backs,” Sumrall said. “We’re going to be in the foxhole at times. It ain’t always going to be good.”
That kind of mindset doesn’t come overnight, especially with so many new players and coaches in the building. But Sumrall is leaning on the infrastructure already in place at Florida - and he made it clear that the people behind the scenes have been instrumental in holding things together during the transition.
He specifically credited Katie Doeker (formerly Katie Turner) and Savannah Bailey, who leads Florida’s GatorMade program, for keeping the recruiting class intact during a turbulent coaching change.
“If it weren’t for Katie Doeker… we would not have signed anybody,” Sumrall said. “If it wasn’t for Savannah Bailey and our GatorMade program… We lost two commitments.
Two, with the coaching change. That has nothing to do with me.
That has everything to do with Florida and the other people who were involved in those young men choosing Florida.”
Sumrall also offered a candid reaction to the latest eligibility developments in college football - particularly the case of former Alabama player Charles Bediako, who visited Gainesville recently. The NCAA has begun granting eligibility to some athletes who previously went pro, a move that’s left coaches around the country scratching their heads.
Sumrall joked about filing a restraining order to bring Tim Tebow back as a goal-line quarterback - but then got serious.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on with all that. Like, I don’t understand it.
I’m not smart enough to understand all this legal stuff,” he said. “To me, you’re either in college or you’re pro; which one are you?
I don’t know. But I don’t understand all of it.”
That confusion isn’t unique to Sumrall - it’s shared by coaches everywhere trying to navigate a rulebook that seems to change by the week. But for now, his focus is on the here and now: building a team, establishing a culture, and figuring out what this group can become.
Florida’s roster may be brand new, but the expectations in Gainesville never change. Sumrall knows the road ahead won’t be easy - but he’s embracing the challenge with eyes wide open and a foxhole mentality.