Jon Sumrall inherits a talent-rich roster, but lingering questions at quarterback and along the offensive line could determine if the Florida Gators meet Josh Pate's top-25 expectations.
The Florida Gators enter the upcoming season with plenty of hype surrounding first-year head coach Jon Sumrall.
After Sumrall took Tulane to the College Football Playoff in December, the excitement in Gainesville is understandable.
With that being said, there are good reasons for fans to be cautious about planning for a trip to the CFP this year.
The Gators have a good roster on defense. Receivers Dallas Wilson, Vernell Brown III and Eric Singleton Jr. should be elite for Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. to target this fall. Running back Jadan Baugh is another key weapon for the offense.
With that being said, UF has questions about the offensive line and at quarterback. Jones appeared to be the better quarterback in the final scrimmage of spring football, though Philo comes in with experience playing under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
During an episode of "Josh Pate's College Football Show" on Sunday, the host predicted the Gators to start Philo in Week 1. He also thinks UF has the potential to be the No. 21 team in the country.
"I think Aaron Filo is going to win the job down there," Pate said. I don't expect Heisman contention there. What I do expect is good, solid QB play on an otherwise really underrated roster. They are nasty at wide receiver. Have the potential to be one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country. It's a really good running back situation.
Just the overall talent roster that Sumrall is inheriting there, it's really good. Now, they had good talent and couldn't get it done under Billy Napier, so this is also kind of a bet on Jon Sumrall to walk in with an abnormally high floor for a first year inherited situation.”
It's a good roster with serious flaws. No one is expecting Philo or Jones to play at an elite level, which is what it will take for the Gators to be in the CFP conversation. Elite skilled players are great, but won't be effective without the offensive line playing competently.
The Gators should show progress, but Sumrall needs to get his recruits in the building before the team takes the next level.