Former Florida football players praise 'energy' of first-year coach Jon Sumrall

Former Florida football players who returned to the Heavener Football Complex for UF Pro Day on March 26 took in some spring practices as well.

All came away with the same impression of first-year Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall − that he's an energetic, no-nonsense coach capable of taking UF to greater heights.

"They just were playing like their hair was on fire," former Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks said. "They’ve got a lot of energy. Offense is doing well, defense is doing well. Coach (Sumrall) just doing what you need to do to make sure the boys are getting after it. And I'm happy for them. I know they will have a successful year this year. I can't wait to see it.”

Former Florida cornerback Devin Moore said Sumrall's intensity is rubbing off on players on the practice field.

"I love the energy Coach Sumrall is bringing," Moore said. "He's not scared to tell you how it is. You need a guy like that, that's gonna, 'This is how it is. It wasn't good enough. Do it again. And I don't care what you think.' I love that type of energy. I love how the guys out there were competing. I thought it was a great practice."

Sumrall is attempting to turn around a UF football program that has endured four losing seasons in its last five years and went 22-23 under former coach Billy Napier.

"He's definitely a more rowdy coach, you know," former Florida football edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. said. "You can see his influence all around the practice field a bit more. He's out there more, getting on players a little bit more, but it's definitely fun to watch him.”

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What former Florida football players think of Jon Sumrall's practices