Myles Graham and the Gators ready for SEC spotlight as Florida visits Auburn
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GAINESVILLE — Linebacker Myles Graham, the son of a former Gator, wants to leave Florida with a legacy of his own.
These are the weeks where top players make their mark.
The team’s leading tackler and defensive leader could feel SEC play in the air Monday at Florida’s Heavener Football Center. After beating up on two overmatched opponents by 94 points, coach Jon Sumrall’s Gators will face their first real test Saturday at Auburn.
“It’s different,” Graham said Monday. “It’s definitely a different level of intensity because at Florida, these are the games that you come here to play. These games that you dream of. Being a top player in these games makes you a legend.
“That’s a big deal for everybody.”
Florida (2-0) aims to carry the inner motivation and energy in the building onto the road against a team that will present multiple obstacles despite being 2.5-point underdogs.
• Auburn (2-0) is riding a streak of 23 sellouts at 88,043-seat Jordan-Hare Stadium, presenting an unruly environment on par with the Swamp.
• All-SEC linebacker Avery Atkins spearheads a swarming defense engineered by DJ Durkin, the Gators’ defensive coordinator under Will Muschamp.
• Offensive-minded first-year Tigers coach Alex Golesh delivered one of the 2025 season’s most-consequential upsets when he led USF to a stunning 18-16 win in Week 2 in Gainesville, accelerating Billy Napier’s eventual ouster at Florida.
“Have a real challenge on our hands,” Sumrall said. “Auburn is a really good football team; a lot of talented players, a good coaching staff. We gotta be ready to go.”
Florida will present problems for the Tigers, too, beginning with the playmaking trio of Jadan Baugh, Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
Baugh rushed for more than 130 yards in wins against FAU and Campbell. Meanwhile, Brown had 111 receiving yards against the Owls and scored on consecutive punt returns against the Camels, who allowed Wilson 104 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches.
Quarterback Aaron Philo plans to distribute the ball to Florida’s abundance of skill players and build on two strong showings — featuring five passing and two rushing touchdowns — during his first career start on the road.
“Having those kinds of weapons, I got to get the ball in those guys’ hands and let them go make plays,” Philo said Monday. “Whatever I can do to get that done is what I need to do.”
Sumrall is confident Philo, who is third in the SEC with a passer rating of 214.12, is made for the moment. But seeing is believing.
“He hasn’t played in an environment like this as a starter, so we’ll find out,” Sumrall said. “But I believe in him because he’s competitive. He’s a good leader. You can tell his teammates like playing with him.
“He’s just the kind of guy that you like having on your side because he’s confident in nature, not easily rattled.”
Still, the Gators will need to improve at the line of scrimmage and avoid costly penalties to leave Auburn satisfied.
Outside of left tackle Bryce Lovett, Sumrall said Florida’s offensive line play was inconsistent against Campbell of the FCS. Florida’s first-year coach also did not abide by five penalties up front, including unnecessary roughness calls on possessions to open the second half.
“We got to play cleaner at times,” Sumrall said.
Sumrall, who was 18-8 on the road during two seasons each at Troy and Tulane, is well familiar with the challenge awaiting at Auburn.
The 44-year-old grew up 200 miles north in Huntsville and married an Auburn alum, Ginny, who has family in the area. Mixed allegiances, though, will be a non-issue.
“There’s ties. But Florida pays my mortgage,” Sumrall said. “So, any family that is pulling against us, they ain’t my family.
“I don’t care what their last name is.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next
What: UF (2-0) at Auburn (2-0)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where:Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
TV: ESPN
Favorite: Florida by 2.5 points
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