Florida Urged to Make Change on Offense Before Training Camp

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New Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall wanted to downplay the quarterback battle between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. this spring, noting that several units on the team needed improvement before the fall. 

Still, how the quarterback position plays this fall will be key to how many wins the Gators have this season. Without a quarterback to push the ball downfield and get the ball in the hands of their talented receivers, Florida has no chance of making a surprise push for the College Football Playoff. 

The Gators have plenty of talent to make a bowl game, which would certainly be an improvement over the 4-8 record they had in 2024. While the passing game is uncertain before training camp, Florida has one unit that should be able to carry the team to a winning season.

Blake Brockermeyer of CBS Sports named Florida as having the No. 6 best running back room in the country. The Gators will be led by Jadan Baugh, who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Because of the depth Florida has in the backfield, Brockermeyer suggested Florida should change the offense to feature Baugh more in the upcoming season.

"Jadan Baugh leads the Gators' rushing attack after averaging 5.3 yards per carry," he wrote. "He excels in inside-zone runs with good patience, vision, and the ability to break arm tackles. Baugh had almost 800 yards after contact and should be featured even more in Jon Sumrall's scheme. 

"Florida also has quality depth behind Baugh with Evan Pryor and Logan Montgomery, who were productive starters at Cincinnati and East Carolina, combining for 1,300 rushing yards last season. Duke Clark is also expected to have a role after gaining limited experience last season."

Again, the running game will be enough to put the Gators in the postseason, which would be a success for Sumrall in year 1. However, the running game needs to be dangerous as a complement to a treating passing game if Florida wants to win nine or ten games this fall. 

Expect the Gators to lean on the rushing game until Philo or Jones become more comfortable running the offense.

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