Gators Wire

Aug. 24, 2026, 3:40 p.m. ET Florida football head coach Jon Sumrall named Aaron Philo the starting quarterback for week one. Sumrall noted the team is relatively healthy, with only minor injuries and illnesses affecting a few players. The offensive line showed significant improvement and cohesion in the most recent scrimmage. Sumrall expressed frustration with the defense's poor communication and tackling during the scrimmage.

Aug. 24, 2026, 1:28 p.m. ET The nation's favorite collegiate sport returns to the gridiron this weekend, and ahead of the start of college football's 2026 season, USA TODAY Sports writer Craig Meyer put together his list of the eight most polarizing teams entering fall. What makes a team polarizing?

Aug. 24, 2026, 12:56 p.m. ET College football returns this week and USA TODAY Sports released its top 100 players ahead of the 2026 season. Preseason rankings can offer a glimpse at which players are expected to make a big impact, but they are far from a guarantee. Breakout stars and unexpected developments can quickly change the perception of a player. Look at Fernando Mendoza.

Aug. 24, 2026, 12:40 p.m. ET Florida football opens its 2026 campaign in under two weeks as the Jon Sumrall era kicks off in Gainesville. Ahead of the season's start, USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg published his full re-rank of all 138 FBS schools. Myerberg's previous rerank for this fall came out in April, with the Gators placed at No. 38. In his final salvo of the preseason, the Orange and Blue find themselves up two spots at No. 36 and 10th among Southeastern Conference schools.

Aug. 24, 2026, 11:54 a.m. ET Florida head coach Jon Sumrall named Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo the Gators' starting quarterback on Monday. His declaration ends a tightly contested competition with redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. Sumrall said Florida is preparing for Philo to take the first snaps in its Sept. 5 season opener against Florida Atlantic.

Aug. 24, 2026, 10:11 a.m. ET With the NFL preseason nearing its conclusion, Week 2 provided another opportunity for players to strengthen their standing before teams make their final roster decisions. For former Florida kicker Trey Smack, the second week of the preseason was another chance to make an impression as he continues to compete for a spot at the next level. Smack has done just that, emerging as one of the NFL's preseason winners following his latest performance.

Aug. 24, 2026, 7:02 a.m. ET Florida's wide receiver room is one of the deepest position groups on the roster heading into the 2026 season. Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III headline the returning group after both flashed immense talent in their true freshman campaigns. The Gators added another weapon in Eric Singleton Jr., who played for Buster Faulkner at Georgia Tech before spending 2025 in the SEC with the Auburn Tigers.

Aug. 23, 2026, 1:22 p.m. ET Former Florida football standout Jake Slaughter has begun his professional career on a high note, earning the starting center job for the Los Angeles Chargers after a strong showing during the preseason — along with an injury that helped clear the path for him. “Talent, effort, just very, very aware,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Slaughter. “The mind is sharp, snap, pre-snap, to the whistle, the way he understands the position...

Aug. 22, 2026, 6:07 p.m. ET The 2027 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most intriguing classes in recent memory, with several high-profile quarterbacks and blue-chip prospects leading the group. Much of the early attention has centered around players such as Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and a pair of elite edge rushers; there are plenty of other prospects positioned to make their mark at the next level.

Aug. 22, 2026, 2:02 p.m. ET Florida redshirt sophomore defensive end LJ McCray has earned national recognition by being named to the 2026 College Football Comeback Player of the Year watch list on Thursday. McCray, a former five-star prospect from Florida's 2024 recruiting class, endured a difficult 2025 season.