Steve Spurrier believes Jon Sumrall’s infectious energy and recruiting prowess will spark an immediate turnaround at Florida, setting a daring nine-win floor despite a looming quarterback battle.
The Florida Gators are a trendy pick to be a fringe Top 25 team for the first preseason poll.
There is a lot of excitement for a program that finished 4-8 last season and lost their starting quarterback, DJ Lagway.
New Florida head coach Jon Sumrall is the main reason for excitement, coming off a successful stint where he led Tulane to the College Football Playoff in December.
Still, Sumrall has issues with the current roster. He needs to get the offensive line up to snuff. More critically, the Gators have a serious quarterback battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. this summer.
During an appearance on "Another Dooley Noted Podcast" on Monday, former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier gave a bold prediction for the team this season. He thinks nine games should be the floor for Florida.
“It's going to be who plays the best and who wins the close games," Spurrier said. "That's what it may come down to. And I really believe we're going to have a team that's a lot better than number nine in the SEC right now.
"So in fact, I think we can win nine or more games. That's my minimum right now for this team we got and coaching staff. Just like Coach Sumrall and the staff and the attitude these players seem to have when you're around them.”
Spurrier credits a potential quick turnaround at Florida to Sumrall, who hit the ground running once the Green Wave lost in the CFP.
“Yeah, he's active," Spurrier said of Sumrall. "He's a hard-working guy. There's no question about that.
"And it's paid off in recruiting. And now, you know, well, we're still recruiting, but then the preparation through the summer, getting ready for the season, is crucial also.”
Sumrall has quickly put together one of the top recruiting rosters in the country for the class of 2027. He's getting young players to buy into his vision for the Gators.
Still, the new head coach will have a challenge to get players currently on the roster, some from the former regime, to buy into his vision if the Gators want to win nine or 10 games this fall.
