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Articles by Michael Long
ESPN evaluates Jon Sumrall's first season at Florida after Texas upset
Through the first seven games of the 2026 season, Florida coach Jon Sumrall has already surpassed the program's win total from 2025. The Gators raced to a 4-0 start. They suffered consecutive losses against Missouri and South Carolina, before upsetting Texas on the road. Despite those setbacks, ESPN's midseason evaluations of first-year Power Four coaches suggest Gator Nation has reasons to be encouraged.
ESPN scouts rave about Florida's two five-star 2027 recruits Original
Oct. 23, 2026, 1:17 p.m. ET The centerpieces of Jon Sumrall's first recruiting class at Florida are five-star prospects, wide receiver Easton Royal and offensive tackle Maxwell Hiller. Both prospects were featured in ESPN's latest scouting evaluation, which examined how the nation's top 2027 prospects could fit with their future programs. The outlet's biggest takeaway is that Hiller and Royal have the potential to make immediate contributions.
Florida's upset win over Texas validates Easton Royal's flip
Florida football commit Easton Royal's confidence in Jon Sumrall has only grown since flipping from Texas earlier this month.
Instant reactions to Florida's huge upset road win at Texas in Week 7
Expectations were subverted on Saturday when the Florida Gators upset the Texas Longhorns in Austin, 27-24, in a game that exemplified why college football is the best game on turf. The Orange and Blue had lost two straight games by blowout margins and were double-digit underdogs entering the matchup. Florida fell behind early by 14 points in the first half, but things started clicking heading into halftime as the Gators outplayed the Longhorns the rest of the way.
CBS tabs Detroit Lions among Super Bowl sleeper contenders
Oct. 17, 2026, 6:15 a.m. ET The Detroit Lions are among seven Super Bowl sleepers according to CBS Sports. Dan Campbell's team has the offensive firepower to compete for a championship, but their defensive struggles may ultimately be too significant an obstacle to overcome. The Lions enter their Week 6 bye at 3-2 after defeating Arizona 45-21 last week. Detroit trails Jacksonville, Cincinnati, New England, Minnesota, Chicago, and Denver in the penultimate tier of championship challengers.
CBS tabs Detroit Lions among Super Bowl sleeper contenders
The Detroit Lions are among seven Super Bowl sleepers according to CBS Sports. Dan Campbell's team has the offensive firepower to compete for a championship, but their defensive struggles may ultimately be too significant an obstacle to overcome. The Lions enter their Week 6 bye at 3-2 after defeating Arizona 45-21 last week. Detroit trails Jacksonville, Cincinnati, New England, Minnesota, Chicago, and Denver in the penultimate tier of championship challengers.
Dick Vitale gives Florida forward Thomas Haugh a major preseason honor
Florida basketball forward Thomas Haugh has earned first-team recognition on Dick Vitale's preseason All-Rolls-Royce list Vitale identifies the senior as one of the strongest candidates for national player of the year coming into the 2026-27 season. The 6-foot-9-inch, 215-pound frontcourt star from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, averaged 17 points and six rebounds last season to go along with a pair of assists and one block per game.
Instant reactions to Florida's homecoming loss to South Carolina
For the second straight week, Florida football was embarrassed by an opponent they were favored to defeat. This time, it was the South Carolina Gamecocks who prevailed, 38-19, to spoil homecoming for the Orange and Blue for the first time since 2018. Much like against Missouri in Week 5, the offense went limp and the defense was as porous as a broken colander, continuing Florida's futility on both sides of the ball.
Instant reactions to Florida's road loss against Missouri in week 5
Florida football was absolutely embarrassed in its Week 5 matchup with the Missouri Tigers, getting throttled in a 45-17 blowout loss on the road in Columbia. It was the Gators' fifth loss in seven tries at Faurot Field and one of the largest margins of defeat in the all-time series. Jon Sumrall's team looked flat in every aspect of the game and the final score reflected Florida's futility.
Instant reactions from Florida's home win against Ole Miss in Week 4
Florida football is off to its first 4-0 start since 2019 after running the Ole Miss Rebels out of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium by a final score of 52-28 on Saturday afternoon. The Gators got out in front early with a 10-point lead at the end of the first 15 minutes, but the Rebels returned and cut the lead to three heading into the locker room at halftime. The two SEC rivals played tug-of-war in the third quarter before the Orange and Blue took control in the final frame.
Florida WR Eric Singleton Jr. will return as Florida hosts Ole Miss
Florida wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. will make his long-awaited return on Saturday afternoon, getting the start for the Gators' SEC clash with Ole Miss. Singleton entered the weekend listed as questionable after dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined the senior for two weeks. His status was one of the biggest questions surrounding Florida's offense as Jon Sumrall and company prepared for their first home game against a ranked opponent this season.
Social media reacts to SEC Nation's wild visit to Florida
SEC Nation was on site in Gainesville as the Gators get set to take on Ole Miss this afternoon. The SEC Network pregame show returned to Gainesville for the first time since UF played host to Texas last season. The broadcast was sure to include a bit of extra Florida flavor, generating plenty of social media reactions along the way. One moment in particular that set the web on fire was when the network brought out a live alligator during a segment.
Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy not expected to play against Florida
The Gators will have one less offensive weapon to account for when they take on Ole Miss Saturday afternoon. Rebels running back Kewan Lacy is doubtful to play against Florida in the Swamp on Saturday. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the shoulder injury that sidelined the star rusher in the third quarter against LSU will keep him out for Week 4.
Expert predictions, picks for Florida football vs Ole Miss in Week 4
The Jon Sumrall era in Gainesville has started splendidly with Florida football out to its first 3-0 start of the decade. It has been a while since the Gator Nation experienced this much early success — especially on offense, which has been steamrolling the opposition so far.
Florida set to host key recruits for clash with Ole Miss
Florida 's biggest game in years is also a massive recruiting opportunity for Jon Sumrall and the Gators. A loaded group of prospects is expected in Gainesville for Florida football's battle with Ole Miss. According to Gators Online's Blake Alderman , the group includes five-star Texas commit wide receiver Easton Royal and several other key recruits for the 2028 cycle.
Where ESPN pins Florida among remaining undefeated teams
The Gators are undefeated, beginning a season 3-0 for the first time since 2019. Florida enters Week 4 with a chance to secure its first top-five win in over a decade. There are 35 teams that remain unbeaten. ESPN's Bill Connelly evaluated all remaining undefeated FBS teams after Week 3, sorting through which appear sustainable and which deserve skepticism. Florida is averaging 54 points per game after steamrolling FAU and Campbell by a combined 94 points.
SEC Nation headed to Gainesville for Florida vs Ole Miss matchup
National attention is returning to Gainesville as SEC Nation comes to the Swamp for No. 22 Florida's Sept. 26 matchup against No. 6 Ole Miss. After a 3-0 start, it appears new head coach Jon Sumrall has reestablished relevance for a program with rich college football history. The show will broadcast from Plaza of the Americas and air from 9 a.m. to noon ET on Saturday. SEC Nation expanded to three hours this season after 12 seasons on the air.
Grading first-year Lions OC Drew Petzing after Week 2
The Detroit Lions' offense has been productive so far under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. However, it is fair to say things haven't been perfect for the first-year play caller. In either case, the stats don't tell the entire story. Detroit has scored 31 points in each of its first two games. To put things in context, the Lions cracked 30 or more points once in the last four games of 2025. Yet, Thursday's loss at Buffalo highlighted some concerns worth addressing.
Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy uncertain for Week 4 matchup with Florida
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy is uncertain for Saturday's game at Florida after suffering a left shoulder injury in the Rebels' 32-24 victory over LSU. He was hobbled during the third quarter against the Tigers. Lacy underwent an MRI on Sunday. The injury reportedly is not expected to be long-term, but Ole Miss will monitor him throughout the week before making a decision regarding his availability.
Florida basketball awaits major eligibility decision ahead of season
Florida basketball was listed among 13 major programs dealing with unresolved eligibility questions as the season approaches. ESPN outlines issues stemming from the NCAA's new five-year eligibility model and ongoing litigation from players whose careers began before the rule took effect. The NCAA's latest eligibility model won't be fully implemented until next year. Class of 2022 athletes believe the exception unfairly excludes them.
Weather could impact Florida, Auburn SEC opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium
Florida and Auburn may be dealing with weather concerns as the conditions at Jordan-Hare Stadium have declined this afternoon. Storms have already moved through Auburn on game day with video from the stadium showing heavy rain at the time of posting. The latest forecast calls for roughly a 50% chance of precipitation around the 7 p.m. ET kickoff time. There is a moderate possibility of thunderstorms into the early portion of the game.
Scouting Auburn: What to know about the Tigers ahead of SEC opener
Florida 's first SEC opponent of the Jon Sumrall era will serve as a barometer for the 2-0 Gators who begin conference play at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn enters Saturday night undefeated in its first two matchups against Baylor and Southern Mississippi. The Tigers are also launching a new regime in Alabama with head coach Alex Golesh taking over in November. Auburn will present challenges Florida hasn't encountered against FAU or Campbell.
Instant reactions from Florida's road win against Auburn in SEC opener
Florida football passed its first major test on Saturday night in Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 44-39 victory over the Auburn Tigers For the first time since 2007, the Gators put up 40-plus points in their first three games of the season as the offense continues to roll along under Brad Faulkner's tutelage. However, the defense continued to show some weaknesses, and the penalty flag was a major factor for the first time under Jon Sumrall.
The Athletic predicts upset in Florida's SEC opener against Auburn
In its oddly specific predictions for Week 3 of the college football season, The Athletic is picking Auburn to upset Florida , 28-27, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Staff writer Manny Navarro makes this prediction despite acknowledging that Aaron Philo has been the sharper of the two starting quarterbacks through two weeks. Florida enters the matchup as a 2.5-point road favorite.
Key Auburn stats to consider as Florida heads into SEC play
Florida 's first SEC opponent will present a different challenge than the Gators faced in the opening two weeks. Auburn enters Saturday night winners of their first pair of games as well. First-year head coach Alex Golesh led the Tigers to victories over Baylor and Southern Mississippi; Auburn averaged 501 yards of total offense per game to start the season — that ranks No. 8 in the SEC.
5 things to watch as Florida opens SEC slate at Auburn
Florida football passed its first two tests in the Jon Sumrall era with minimal adversity, even if the opponents were less than equal. Now, the difficulty level jumps significantly as the Gators travel to Auburn The Gators dismantled Florida Atlantic and Campbell, outscoring them 118-24. Behind quarterback Aaron Philo, the Florida scoring attack has been explosive and running back Jadan Baugh's performances have justified his preseason first-team All-American selection.
Instant reactions from Florida's road win against Auburn in SEC opener
Florida football passed its first major test on Saturday night in Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 44-39 victory over the Auburn Tigers. For the first time since 2007, the Gators put up 40-plus points in their first three games of the season as the offense continues to roll along under Brad Faulkner's tutelage. However, the defense continued to show some weaknesses, and the penalty flag was a major factor for the first time under Jon Sumrall.
Social media reacts as Florida gets first SEC win of Jon Sumrall era
Florida went into Jordan-Hare Stadium and won a game for the first time since 1999 on Saturday night. Behind another strong performance from running back Jadan Baugh, the Gators earned their first signature win of the Jon Sumrall era in blow-out fashion. It was the first road win for UF since 2024. Sumrall's team entered the SEC opener largely untested in weeks 1 and 2 after dismantling Florida Atlantic and Campbell.
Weather could impact Florida, Auburn SEC opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium
Florida and Auburn may be dealing with weather concerns as the conditions at Jordan-Hare Stadium have declined this afternoon. Storms have already moved through Auburn on game day with video from the stadium showing heavy rain at the time of posting. The latest forecast calls for roughly a 50% chance of precipitation around the 7 p.m. ET kickoff time. There is a moderate possibility of thunderstorms into the early portion of the game.
The Athletic predicts upset in Florida's SEC opener against Auburn
In its oddly specific predictions for Week 3 of the college football season, The Athletic is picking Auburn to upset Florida, 28-27, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Staff writer Manny Navarro makes this prediction despite acknowledging that Aaron Philo has been the sharper of the two starting quarterbacks through two weeks. Florida enters the matchup as a 2.5-point road favorite.
3 reasons to still be optimistic about the Lions moving forward
The Detroit Lions' 41-31 loss at the Buffalo Bills exposed plenty of concerns for Dan Campbell's team, with the most glaring weaknesses appearing on defense. Playing from behind virtually the entire game, Detroit struggled to generate pressure on Josh Allen, couldn't protect Jared Goff and suffered another injury in the secondary. Still, a 1-1 start is hardly reason to panic.
3 overreactions as Bills top Lions on 'Thursday Night Football'
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3 overreactions as Bills top Lions on 'Thursday Night Football'
It was never truly competitive for Detroit during a forgettable appearance on "Thursday Night Football" in Buffalo. Josh Allen and the Bills handled the Lions, 41-31, in a prime-time matchup that lacked any real suspense. Since taking a 21-0 lead over the New Orleans Saints in the second half of its Week 1 win, Detroit has surrendered 71 points, leaving Kelvin Sheppard's defense searching for answers.
SI projects Florida Gators bowl destination after 2-0 start
Florida has sailed through the first two weeks of the Jon Sumrall era, but Sports Illustrated isn't quite sold on the program's transformation just yet. Despite UF posting a combined 118 points in its first two matchups, College sports writer Bryan Fischer isn't putting them in the College Football Playoff conversation just yet. SI projects Florida to face SMU in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 30.
Expert predictions, picks for Florida football at Auburn in Week 3
This weekend, Florida football renews its historic rivalry with the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium to open the 2026 SEC schedule. The last time the two schools met on the collegiate gridiron was 2019; that was one of only two meetings in the last two decades. The Gators are off to a hot start on offense under new coach Jon Sumrall. They have scored 118 points over their first two games, matching the program's most since Urban Meyer's team did it in the first two games of 2009.
3 keys to victory for Detroit Lions in Week 1 matchup vs. Saints
The Detroit Lions enter Week 1 looking to establish a new tone after a lackluster 2025 season. An early matchup with the New Orleans Saints provides head coach Dan Campbell and Co. with an opportunity to do just that. Detroit remains one of the league's most electric teams despite an offseason of turnover.
Florida looks to extend near perfect FCS record against Campbell
Sept. 10, 2026, 9:13 a.m. CT There isn't much history to unpack between Florida and Campbell because Saturday's matchup will be the first meeting between the two programs. Week 2 also marks the first time Campbell will face an SEC opponent. Campbell restarted its football program in 2008 after a 58-year hiatus and currently competes at the FCS level in the Coastal Athletic Association. The Camels moved into the CAA in 2023 after previously playing in the Big South and Pioneer Football League.
Blue-chip CB Dominick Harris-Payne names Florida his No. 1 school
Four-star 2028 cornerback Dominick Harris-Payne has Florida football at No. 1 in his recruitment following a Week 1 visit to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Lakeland, Florida prospect was in attendance as the Gators secured a blowout victory against FAU. Payne is a priority target for the Orange and Blue in the upcoming cycle. According to Blake Alderman of Gators Online, Harris-Payne came away impressed with UF's new staff.
Instant reactions from Florida's season-opening home win over FAU
Florida football opened up the Jon Sumrall era with a resounding 66-21 win over the FAU Owls inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The offense came out blazing and the defense, while at times having some trouble with the Owls' passing game, stood strong enough to limit any major damage inflicted by the visitors.
Health not a major concern for Florida after blowout win against FAU
Florida football came into the season opener against Florida Atlantic relatively healthy. While Saturday night's result was ideal, the Gators are now dealing with a few injury concerns to follow heading into Week 2. Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. suffered an unconfirmed injury during the game, while defensive backs J'Vari Flowers and Bryce Thornton also appeared to be shaken up at different points. Thornton seemed to injure his wrist after a big hit in the first half.
Social media reacts as Florida pummels FAU in season opener
The Jon Sumrall era is officially underway at Florida . The Gators ' season opener against Florida Atlantic gave UF fans plenty to cheer about as their team grounded the Owls 66-21. Gator Nation got its first real look at a Florida program that underwent significant changes during the offseason. Florida fielded 50 new players, brought in two coordinators and just about every position group entered Week 1 with questions.
ESPN picks Detroit Lions' 2026 X-factor
Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin was selected by ESPN as the team's biggest X-factor entering the 2026 season. Detroit released former first-round pick Terrion Arnold back in June, opening the door for Ya-Sin to play opposite D.J. Reed . A second-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, Ya-Sin has primarily been a rotational journeyman throughout his NFL career.
Florida makes CFB playoff, upset champs ESPN simulation says
Much of the national media wouldn't consider Florida a national title contender, but a model using ESPN's SP+ projections and running one million simulations produced a scenario where the Gators don't just make the College Football Playoff but upset the defending champion Indiana Hoosiers. ESPN's Bill Connelly highlighted several simulated seasons, giving them designations ranging from plausible to chaotic. Florida has a 12.8% chance of reaching the CFP, according to SP+.
USA TODAY Sports leaves Florida outside SEC's top contenders in 2026 Original
Aug. 31, 2026, 1:17 p.m. ET After evaluating schedules and newly released depth charts, USA TODAY Sports predicted records for all 138 FBS programs last week. College sports reporter Paul Myerberg and deputy editor Ramon Padilla have the Texas Longhorns winning the SEC, while the Georgia Bulldogs are projected to finish No. 2 in the conference; sitting a tier below the favorites are Oklahoma and Alabama.
SEC shuts door on NFL, NBA, WNBA players returning to college
A new eligibility policy was unanimously approved by the SEC on Tuesday, with league presidents, chancellors and athletic directors voting 16-0 in favor. The policy bars SEC schools from rostering athletes who previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA drafts, signed contracts with these leagues, or appeared on professional rosters. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey now has authority to enforce the policy with penalties. At the time of publishing, those penalties have not been identified.
Lions' Aidan Hutchinson surges in NFL Top 100 players rankings
Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson jumped 25 spots in the most recent player-voted NFL Top 100 ranking . A second-team All-Pro pass rusher in 2025, Hutchinson moved up from No. 55 to No. 30 after posting 14.5 sacks and a league-best 89 pressures in his first season since his devastating leg injury. Hutchinson finished last year with 54 tackles and 14 tackles for loss, along with four forced fumbles and an interception.
Florida makes massive jump in CBS Sports' preseason rankings
Aug. 12, 2026, 3:12 p.m. CT Florida football was the biggest positive mover among teams spotlighted in CBS Sports' 138 rankings, jumping 49 spots from its 2025 final ranking of No. 71 into the top 25 at No. 22 ahead of 2026. The Gators are the eighth SEC team in the top 25, following Georgia (No. 5), Oklahoma (No. 9), LSU (No. 10), Texas A&M (No. 11), Ole Miss (No. 12), Alabama (No. 13) and Tennessee (No. 17).
2028 5-Star WR Brysen Wright locks in game day visit with Florida
Aug. 12, 2026, 7:31 a.m. CT Five-star wide receiver Brysen Wright has scheduled a game-day visit to Florida on Sept. 26, according to Rivals' Chad Simmons. The Jacksonville, Florida, native is heralded as the top recruit in the 2028 class. Listed at 6-feet-3.5-inches and 215 pounds, Wright already has SEC size. Landing him would be a tremendous victory for the program as new head coach Jon Sumrall aims to keep elite in-state talent at home.
Former Florida safety Trey Dean III lands with Packers after UFL stint
Aug. 12, 2026, 7:02 a.m. CT The Packers officially signed former Florida safety Trey Dean III on Tuesday after releasing tight end Drew Biber and guard Karsen Barnhart to make room on the roster. In addition to Dean, the franchise welcomes another defensive back in Tra Fluellen. Dean spent five seasons with Florida, earning an All-SEC Freshman Team selection in 2018.
CBS Sports predicts Florida's record in Jon Sumrall's first season Original
Aug. 9, 2026, 9:47 a.m. ET CBS Sports projected the final record for every first-year Power Four coach entering the 2026 campaign, using factors such as roster strength, schedule difficulty, quarterback stability and transfer portal success. College football writer Brad Crawford anticipates Jon Sumrall finishing his first season at Florida with a 7-5 overall record and predicts the first-year head coach will go 4-5 in SEC play.
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