Florida football spring practice report, WRs emerging early in camp

Florida football held its second practice of the spring on Thursday, March 5.

In all, the Florida Gators will practice 15 times, culminating with the Orange and Blue game on April 11 at The Swamp (noon, TV TBD). Florida is looking to bounce back from a 4-8 season with a roster that includes 20 freshmen and 30 transfers who will compete with returning players for spots on the depth chart.

First-year Florida football coach Jon Sumrall continued to display energy and enthusiasm on the field, bouncing from position group to position group. Sumrall was hired from Tulane on Nov. 30 after leading the Green Wave to a 2025 American Athletic Conference title.

"So far I've been really pleased with their eagerness, their willingness," Sumrall said. "They've been very receptive to so many things we're asking to do that are ridiculously different than anything they've ever done."

Here are three takeaways from the open portion of practice:

Florida football QBs accurate, two WRs standing out early

Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo continued their quarterback competition, with both displaying accuracy on short and intermediate routes. Florida quarterbacks coach Joe Craddock is stressing accuracy from his quarterbacks in an effort to move the chains. Sumrall said there's "no timeline" to name a starting quarterback.

"I really don't make the decision," Sumrall said. "They do by how they practice. If the quarterbacks lead well, protect the football and create explosive plays on offense no and direct and command at the line of scrimmage, pretty good chance you can be the starter. If you turn the ball over, you don't lead well, you don't communicate well at the line of scrimmage, those kinds of things, you're probably not gonna be the starter."

Transfer wide receiver Eric Singleton continued his strong camp, making a nice sideline grab during passing drills. Another receiver whose stock is rising is seventh-year senior Kahleil Jackson, who has missed close to two seasons recovering from a torn ACL. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Jackson started nine games for UF in 2023, finishing with 21 catches for 251 yards and 1 TD.

New Florida football OL Phil Trautwein working with tackles

New Florida football offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, a former All-SEC tackle, spent an extensive period of time working with the tackles during practice. Returning 6-7, 333-pound starter Caden Jones worked out in the first grouping on the left side while redshirt freshman TJ Dice, who sat out most of last season due to injuries, worked out on the right side, with Penn State transfer Eagen Boyer.

Big TE Heze Kent (6-6, 310) working on blocking drills #Gatorspic.twitter.com/DwLsDXXBtJ

— KevinBrockwayGators (@KevinBrockwayG1) March 5, 2026

Florida football injury update

Defensive end Kamran James and defensive back Javion Toombs continued to work out in orange non-contact jerseys. Sophomore defensive tackle Joseph Mbatchou limped off the field during drills. Wide receiver Dallas Wilson (foot) and linebacker Myles Graham (shoulder) remained out for precautionary reasons.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Takeaways from second Florida football spring practice