Gators’ Jon Sumrall might have hit the transfer portal himself, doesn’t judge those who do
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GAINESVILLE — New Florida coach Jon Sumrall might have hit the transfer portal, if one existed when he was a redshirt freshman linebacker two decades ago at Kentucky.
The prevalence and impact of transfers have changed since then. But Sumrall doesn’t judge those who choose a path he didn’t himself, but strongly considered as a frustrated teenager.
In 2002, Kentucky left him behind when the Wildcats visited to the Swamp, where Sumrall will roam the sidelines with the Gators in 2026.
“I was on the travel list, and got taken off the day before because we had an injured receiver and needed to take another receiver, not another defensive player,” Sumrall recalled Wednesday. “I was on the fringe of the travel roster at that time, and so didn’t make the trip. I was ready to hit the portal that didn’t exist at that time and transfer back home to Alabama A&M.”
Instead of heading to Huntsville, Ala., Sumrall stuck it out and stayed the course, while heeding his father’s stern advice.
“I had a dad who said, quit whining and get better and make yourself good enough they can’t leave you off the travel roster,” Sumrall said. “So I probably would have maybe on my own accord at some point, but grateful for a dad who wouldn’t let me look for the easy way out.”
Transferring is easier than ever, but challenging for all parties in involved.
Sumrall prepares No. 11 Tulane for what could be his final game with the Green Wave Saturday at No. 6 Ole Miss in CFP’s opening round. Back in Gainesville, more than 10 players from the 2025 Gators have announced their intentions to transfer.
Meanwhile, Florida is pushing to keep several key players in Gainesville, including 1,000-yard rusher Jadan Baugh. Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards, capped by a 266-yard performance against Florida State, and can command top dollar from a program with resources.
Texas, which recently hired former UF assistant Jabbar Juluke to coach running backs, reportedly is pushing to lure Baugh to Austin.
Receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson, two of the nation’s most promising true freshmen in 2025, could also test the market, if each chose to do so.
On Monday, quarterback DJ Lagway announced he would transfer. The decision was based on UF’s willingness to continue to pay him top dollar after he struggled in 2025, as well as Sumrall’s plans to bring in a transfer quarterback to compete.
“There’s so many things at play,” Sumrall said. “I respect every guy’s decision. I’m never going to belittle or demean a guy for what decision he feels like he’s got to make. Some guys make decisions purely based upon dollars. Some guys make decisions based upon opportunity. Some guys want to compete at the highest level, maybe conference wise.
“There’s different decisions that get made.”
In 2024 at Tulane, star quarterback Darian Mensah left for Duke after the regular season to play in a Power Four conference for a lot more money. The move left the Green Wave without an experienced quarterback during a 33-8 loss to Florida in 2024 Gasparilla Bowl, but caused no ill will with Sumrall.
“Darian Mensah, I’m still really close to to this day,” Sumrall said. “Darian got probably eight times more than we could pay him here, maybe 10 times more. He made about $4 million. We probably could have paid him maybe 400 (thousand). I’m kind of like, well, yeah, I get it.
“When guys are making decisions based upon a little bit of money, it’s not completely life-changing, sometimes you have to help them see the reasons you may want to stick with a certain place. Everybody has to go through their own process.
“It’s the world we live in.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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