Depth Chart Thursday: Sumrall's New-Look Gators Take Shape Post-Spring

Welcome to Depth Chart Thursday for Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026. As the Florida Gators move past their April 11 Orange & Blue Game—which ended in a competitive 45-45 tie—head coach Jon Sumrall and his staff are evaluating a roster that features 50 new players. With massive transfer portal movement and a historic 2026 NFL Draft that saw a Gator selected in all seven rounds, the two-deep looks vastly different in Gainesville.

Quarterback Competition

The headline of the spring is the ongoing battle under center. Following DJ Lagway's exit to the transfer portal, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner has an intense competition on his hands. Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. are locked in a tight race for the QB1 role, with Will Griffin currently rounding out the depth. Sumrall has kept the battle open, and this position will dictate the ceiling of the Gators' offense.

Offensive Playmakers

While quarterback remains unsettled, the backfield has a clear anchor. Jadan Baugh returns as the undisputed starting running back after his record-breaking 266-yard rushing performance during the 40-21 victory over Florida State in the 2025 regular-season finale. Transfer addition London Montgomery will look to carve out a role behind him. At wide receiver, the Gators lost Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III to the portal, alongside J. Michael Sturdivant's NFL departure. However, offensive production is projected to flow through returning starters Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III, alongside high-profile transfer Eric Singleton Jr., who is expected to instantly bolster the passing attack.

Defensive Foundation

On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Brad White is tasked with replacing NFL departures like Caleb Banks, Tyreak Sapp, and Devin Moore, as well as transfers like Jordan Castell. The projected defensive starters will rely heavily on a strong returning core. Myles Graham, Cormani McClain, LJ McCray, Bryce Thornton, and Jayden Woods are firmly established as the key returning starters who will anchor White's defensive scheme heading into the summer.

As Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 rolls on, Florida's depth chart will continue to evolve, but Sumrall's aggressive portal additions like Cam Dooley, TJ Shanahan Jr., and Harrison Moore ensure there will be no shortage of competition before fall camp arrives.