Everything about the Florida Gators depth chart feels a little weird right now. If you haven’t been glued to the transfer portal or keeping up with coaching carousels, looking at the roster today might give you whiplash. Billy Napier is gone. Jon Sumrall is in. And the sheer volume of names that have vanished into the portal—over 30 players by last count—means the "Same Old Gators" narrative has been tossed into a woodchipper.
The 2025 season was a 4-8 disaster. It was the kind of year that burns a program down to the studs, and honestly, that's exactly what happened. DJ Lagway? Gone. Eugene Wilson III? Gone. Jordan Castell? Gone.
But here’s the thing: Jon Sumrall didn't come from Tulane to just babysit a rebuild. He’s spent the last few weeks essentially playing a real-life version of NCAA Football with the transfer portal. The depth chart isn't just different; it’s a total philosophical pivot. We’re moving from Napier’s slow-burn high school recruiting to a "win-now" mercenary approach.
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The Quarterback Room: Life After DJ Lagway
When DJ Lagway hit the portal, the air left Gainesville for a second. He was supposed to be the savior. Instead, the Florida Gators depth chart at QB now looks like a science experiment in "upside vs. experience."
Right now, the frontrunner isn't a five-star freshman, but Aaron Philo. He’s a Georgia Tech transfer who barely has a turnover-worthy play to his name. He’s not going to jump over a defender for a viral TikTok clip, but he’s exactly what new OC Buster Faulkner wants: a point guard who keeps the ball out of the hands of the other team.
Then you’ve got Tramell Jones Jr., the freshman from Jacksonville. He’s the local kid who actually stayed. He saw some snaps in 2025, but he’s still learning how to read SEC speeds. Behind them sits Aidan Warner, the walk-on who keeps surviving every roster purge.
It’s not as "sexy" as having Lagway, but it might be more stable. Sumrall isn't looking for a hero; he's looking for a guy who can hand the ball to Jadan Baugh without fumbling.
Skill Positions: The "Speed Over Size" Rebranding
If you look at the wide receiver section of the Florida Gators depth chart, you’ll see one name that changes everything: Eric Singleton Jr.
Losing Tre Wilson was a gut punch, but Singleton (an Auburn transfer via Georgia Tech) is a certified blazer. He forced 15 missed tackles last year. He’s joined by Dallas Wilson, a massive freshman who actually stayed committed through the coaching change.
The strategy here is basically "get vertical."
- WR-X: Dallas Wilson (Fr.) - The skyscraper.
- WR-Z: Eric Singleton Jr. (Tr.) - The lightning bolt.
- WR-Y/Slot: Vernell Brown III (Fr.) - The local legend.
At running back, Jadan Baugh is the undisputed king. He was the one bright spot in a dark 2025. Sumrall prioritized keeping him above almost everyone else. Behind him, the Gators snagged London Montgomery from East Carolina. Montgomery isn't a backup; he’s a guy who put up over 1,100 yards in the AAC. It’s a two-headed monster that actually gives this offense some teeth.
The Trenches: Fixing the "Paper Wall"
The offensive line was, frankly, embarrassing last year. Damieon George Jr. and Austin Barber are still around as the veteran anchors, but the middle of the line is a construction zone.
Sumrall brought in TJ Shanahan Jr. from Penn State to play guard. He’s 316 pounds of "please don't hit my quarterback." Along with Eagan Boyer, a 6-foot-8 mountain from the Nittany Lions, the Gators are finally getting the length they need at tackle.
On the defensive side, it’s all about the 3-3-5. Sumrall is moving away from the heavy-set front for something more "Tulane-esque"—fast, chaotic, and aggressive.
- NT: Brendan Bett (RS So.) - One of the few survivors who Sumrall fought to keep.
- DE: Kamran James (Jr.) - Transitioning into a more primary role.
- JACK: Jayden Woods (Fr.) - This was the biggest win of January. He entered the portal, visited Texas, and Sumrall somehow convinced him to come back. He's the elite pass rusher this team hasn't had in years.
Secondary: The Great Reclamation Project
The secondary was the weakest link in 2025. It felt like every third-and-long was an automatic first down for the opponent.
To fix this, the Florida Gators depth chart at cornerback now features Cormani McClain as a "boom or bust" starter. We all know the talent is there, but the consistency hasn't been. Sumrall is betting that his more disciplined coaching staff can reel him in.
The safeties are brand new. DJ Coleman from Baylor is the heavy hitter. He’s the No. 98 ranked player in the portal for a reason. He’s paired with Bryce Thornton, who has been a rotational guy but is being asked to lead now.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
The biggest misconception is that Florida is "gutted." People see 30+ players leaving and think the program is dead.
In reality, a lot of those departures were "Napier guys" who didn't fit Sumrall’s high-energy, fast-paced culture. Sumrall is replacing depth with production. For example, losing a backup tight end who hasn't caught a pass is fine when you replace him with Luke Harpring from Georgia Tech, a guy who actually has SEC-level PFF grades.
The specialists are actually improved too. Patrick Durkin, the Tulane kicker who followed Sumrall, hit 25 field goals last year. After years of Gator fans holding their breath on every kick, having a guy who is 85% from the field is a luxury.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re tracking this team heading into spring ball, keep your eyes on these three specific moves. They will determine if Florida makes a bowl game or ends up in the cellar again.
- Watch the Right Guard Battle: If TJ Shanahan Jr. wins this spot early, it stabilizes the interior. If they have to rotate players like Roderick Kearney or Knijeah Harris, it means the communication isn't there yet.
- Monitor Jayden Woods’ Snaps: Sumrall needs Woods to be a double-digit sack guy. In a 3-3-5, the "JACK" linebacker has to be a monster. If he’s struggling in the spring, the defense will fold against teams like Georgia.
- Keep an eye on the "Freshman Wall": With guys like Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III expected to play immediately, the physical toll of an SEC schedule is real. Florida has to build depth behind them via the post-spring portal window.
The Florida Gators depth chart is no longer a list of "what ifs." It’s a list of "prove its." Jon Sumrall has his guys now. The excuse of "cleaning up the old coach's mess" only lasts through the first kickoff in September.