Gator players lose logos over physicality concerns. Florida coach Jon Sumrall demands a tougher, more competitive team to forge an SEC championship contender.
Florida head coach Jon Sumrall quickly set the tone for his program during offseason workouts.
Taking a page from legendary Florida head coach Urban Meyer's playbook, Sumrall took away the privilege of players wearing Gators logos on their workout clothes until they earned the right.
Sumrall didn't specify when the logos would return, and if his indications from spring practice mean anything, those logos might not be coming back until at least training camp.
When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sumrall noted that his players have not shown the type of physicality he wants during practices this spring.
"We're going to be pretty physical the rest of the way out to make sure this team's getting all the reps we need to get to continue to improve," Sumrall said, via Kevin Brockway of Gainesville.com.
"From a physicality and toughness standpoint, a lot of work to be done."
Sumrall recently invited former NFL head coach Jon Gruden and former UF head coaches Steve Spurrier and Meyer to a coaching clinic to help his assistants better prepare the Gators for the upcoming season.
All of those coaches have a history of tough and physical teams. Those are traits the Gators lacked under Billy Napier.
Sumrall noted that his players are receptive to his criticism.
"I'd like for it to be more physical," Sumrall said. "The guys are trying. They're trying to play hard. They are. This is a league that you have to be calloused and tough to win - and that's at every level, not just at the line of scrimmage.
"Now, the line of scrimmage is clearly a grown man's league. But our guys have to understand that, man, there are no days off. So just continue to elevate how we play with an edge."
It's been a while since Florida played with an edge. Really, that hasn't been seen since Meyer was blowing the whistle in Gainesville.
Sumrall’s team at Tulane was noted for being tough, which aided the team in making the College Football Playoff. For the Gators to win the SEC and make the CFP, they will have to be one of the most physical teams in the country.