College Football
Out Of A Legend’s Shadow?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Kalen DeBoer may have a long way to go to step out of Nick Saban’s shadow, but he is now guaranteed to surpass Saban in one area: Salary.
Alabama gave DeBoer a seven-year contract extension that will pay the coach $12.5 million this year.
That’s more than the $11.1 million Saban earned during his final season in 2023 — when he was the highest-paid coach in college football.
DeBoer’s first two seasons have led to some angst in the Alabama fan base and talk of a hot seat.
Athletic director Greg Byrne’s contract extension seeks to quiet that talk: DeBoer’s previous contract called for Alabama to owe him 90 percent of the remaining value of the contract if it fired him without cause.
Assuming that remains the case for this contract, Bryne is doubling down on his belief that DeBoer is the right man for the job.
DeBoer, 51, was hired to replace the retired Saban and earned $10.8 million in his first season, with his contract calling for raises of $125,000 per year through 2031.
Alabama’s first two seasons under DeBoer have been modestly successful: 9-4 his first season, missing the College Football Playoff; 11-4 his second season, making the CFP quarterfinals, where the Crimson Tide lost to eventual champion Indiana.
Saban coached Alabama to six national championships, most recently during the 2020 season, and in his final season had the Crimson Tide in the CFP semifinals, the final year of the four-team playoff.
When he retired, Byrne went outside the Saban coaching tree and the Alabama family to hire DeBoer, who had just coached Washington to the national championship game.
DeBoer’s new contract takes him through the end of the 2032 season, ending on Jan. 31, 2033.
“We are pleased to extend Coach DeBoer and are proud to have him leading the Crimson Tide football program,” Byrne said in a statement. “He is an excellent coach and has done a commendable job developing our student-athletes.”
Alabama hauled in the nation’s No. 2-ranked high school recruiting class for the 2026 cycle, continuing in the Saban tradition.
But the Crimson Tide also lost key pieces in the transfer portal, and the portal class did not rank among the top 25 in rankings.
DeBoer said in late January that he expected his team to be relatively young again, perhaps setting the expectations a bit lower once more.
Now he has a new contract that would seem to give him more leeway, though Alabama, like any SEC school, isn’t exactly hurting for money.
“This University has become a special place to us, and I look forward to working to ensure that Alabama football remains at the forefront of college football,” DeBoer said in a statement. “This program has a long history of success and an unmatched tradition that I was eager to be a part of two years ago, and I cannot wait to keep coaching our guys and bring more championships to Alabama.”
Alabama also announced a contract extension for men’s basketball coach Nate Oats, also through the end of the 2031-32 season.
Oats’ previous deal was set to expire after the 2029-30 season and pay him $6.02 million this year. His salary was increased to $6.275 million this year, with gradual increases to $7.25 million by the end of the deal.
Oats, 51, has led Alabama to five Sweet 16 appearances since being hired in 2019, including a Final Four two years ago.
Natty Or Bust?
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Well, spring is here and one of the most beautiful places in the state is Athens. With a temperature in the 70’s and the azaleas busting out everywhere, Athens is hard to beat.
Throw in a couple tickets I had to see the Tennis Dawgs take out South Carolina on a Friday night and the Baseball Dawgs do the same the next day to those Florida Gators and well, it’s just special.
At that same time, we got glimpses of the 2026 Football Dawgs as they were hard into spring practice.
The general consensus was that the football Dawgs could be very special this year. VERY special.
The next week was the spring game and after seeing it, I can see why. These Dawgs are tight. They have leadership, athleticism, depth, and a hunger to go back to the top.
From Kirby on down, these guys want all the marbles in 2026. The great Georgia guru Rusty Mansell put it out there. Georgia has “a roster built to play for a national championship”.
Are they as loaded as the back-to-back National Champions of a couple years back? Maybe not, but they might be just as good. Let’s take a look.
It starts with the top. Georgia has Kirby. The Dawgs also have one of the best overall staffs in the country. Throw in an administration and athletic director that are all on the same page and few programs in the country can match the Red and Black.
On the field it all starts with the QB, and Georgia has a good one in Gunner Stockton. While he might not be as flashy as some, he has that something that his teammates love; grit, determination, and a will to win.
With his experience running this offense, he is one of the top returning signal callers in the country. Behind him are 4 others with Ryan Puglisi currently number 2. Watch out for upcoming Ryan Montgomery who is pushing up the depth chart. The key to these guys is keeping Gunner healthy.
The backs will be very good, led by Nate Frazier. Throw in Chauncey Bowens, the electric Dwight Phillips and a couple of highly touted youngsters and Georgia will run the ball. And look out for Dante Dowdell, a transfer with speed, size and experience. His 20 something yard run while hurdling a defender was one of the spring game highlights.
Next are the wide receivers and tight ends. The wideouts will be bolstered by transfer Isiah Canion, and have talent all over with returners Landon Humphreys, C J Wiley, Talyn Taylor and newcomer Kaiden Prothro a 6’ 6” 230 lb 5-star freshman who starred in the spring game.
This group should be solid especially when paired with the best tight end group in the country. Between Lawson Luckie, Elyiss Williams, Ethan Barbour, and Jaden Reddell, the only problem will be how to get them all on the field.
Reddell showed out in the spring game and there are 2 or 3 others behind these guys. Like I said, this is the best TE group in the country. Look for the Dawgs to run some 3 or 4 TE sets with 1 running back.
None of the above means a thing if the O-line can’t do its thing but Georgia should be deep and very good on the line.
Drew Bobo will anchor the O-line at center. Add in returning starters Dontrell Glover, Juan Gaston, Earnest Green and it will be solid. Oh, and don’t forget newcomers Zykie Helton, and Jah Jackson, all 6’10” 350 lbs of him. This offense will have a hundred different ways to score and should be lethal.
Defensively the Dawgs will be loaded with returning starters all over the place. The D-Line will be big, deep, and athletic with plenty of experience.
Josh Horton, Xzavier Mcleod, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Nnamdi Ogboko all return and are back along with Elijah Griffin who has All-American written all over him. There is depth there also.
What the TE’s bring to the offense the LB’s are to the Georgia defense.
Raylen Wilson, Justin Williams, Chris Cole, and Gabe Harris make this group elite and remember the Name Chase Linton. Look for him this fall. There is also depth behind these guys with Nick Abrams, Zayden Walker and others..
The DB’s should be solid with returners Ellis Robinson IV, K J Bolden, Demello Jones, Rasean Dinkins, Kyron Jones, and transfers Braylon Conley, Khalil, and Gentry Williams.
The kicking is in good hands with Peyton Woodring although the punting cannot match the loss of thunderfoot Brett Thorson.
The special teams should be very good with a host of players vying for playing time to get on the field and impress.
All and all this is a loaded football team. Big, fast, physical with depth all over.
To me the keys to a run at the Natty are things that need to be improved on from a 12-2 team in 2025.
First is rush the passer, Georgia was lacking in this last year and the injury to transfer Amaris Williams during the spring didn’t help. That’s priority number one.
Next is, keep Gunner healthy. While there is quality behind him, Gunner is the man.
And last is get a little luck. This team can beat any team in the country if they are on. But they are not the 21 or 22 outfits. They’ll need a little luck here and there. If those three keys come to fruition, I like our chances.
Spring Buzz
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia Tech played their spring game over the weekend. Team Swarm won, 34-10 over Team Wreck ‘Em in the Yellow Jackets’ annual White & Gold Game.
The game consisted of four quarters – the first half with 12-minute quarters and standard clock operations, the second half with 15-minute quarters and a running clock.
Tech went 9-4 last season and finished ranked No. 24. They were ranked as high as No. 7 during the season and they were 6-2 in the ACC.
The 2026 roster features five returning all-ACC performers from last year’s team (PK Aidan Birr, OL Malachi Carney, LB Kyle Efford, RB Malachi Hosley and OL Ethan Mackenny) and 19 highly touted incoming transfers, headlined by RB Justice Haynes and QB Alberto Mendoza.
“Alberto is the guy,” coach Brent Key said when asked about the Yellow Jackets’ quarterbacks’ room after Saturday’s spring game.
Mendoza was named offensive captain for the spring game, completing 12 of 16 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. The redshirt sophomore is the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza announced his decision to transfer less than 24 hours after winning a national title at Indiana, where he was the backup for his older brother, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in this week’s NFL draft.
“Obviously, he still has to compete and still has to win the job, but he’s done nothing to disappoint me and think that’s not going to be the case,” Key told Georgia Tech’s radio network during the spring game.
Haynes transferred in from Michigan. Last season he rushed for 857 yards, 10 touchdowns and he averaged 7.1 yards per carry. The senior running back ran nine times for 48 yards in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage.
Sophomore running back J.P. Powell had a game-high 68 yards on just three carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run.
Senior running back Malachi Hosley averaged 6.2 yards per carry (4 carries for 26 yards) including an 18-yard touchdown. Last season Hosley rushed for 697 yards, 7 touchdowns and he averaged 7.1 ypc. He also had 14 receptions for 119 yards.
It looks like the Yellow Jackets will have a deep running back room, if these guys don’t transfer before the season.
Redshirt freshman tight end Kevin Roche Jr. had game highs with six receptions for 70 yards. His longest catch was 35 yards and he was always open and making plays for Team Swarm. He looks like he could have a big role going into the fall.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Grady Adamson and redshirt junior running back Chad Alexander were responsible for Team Swarm’s remaining three touchdowns, as the connected on an 11-yard scoring pass and each had 3-yard TD runs. Adamson completed 8 of 11 passes for 104 yards.
Sophomore wide receivers Debron Gatling and Jordan Allen had 47 and 42 receiving yards, respectively (Gatling’s included an 18-yard TD catch from Mendoza).
Defensively, transfer defensive ends Jordan Walker (Rutgers) and Noah Carter (Alabama) had two sacks apiece for Team Swarm, while redshirt senior defensive back Savion Riley led Team Wreck ‘Em with a game-high seven tackles.
Miami Defensive End Given Preferential Treatment In Car Crash Death?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
University of Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was the driver during a traffic collision in the early hours of March 17, 2024, that resulted in one of the passengers, 22-year-old Destiny Betts, being severely injured, according to court documents.
Destiny Betts, who was one of four passengers, was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the crash report, and died from her injuries nearly three months later, on June 13, 2024.
Bain was issued a citation for careless driving, with police saying that he “operated his vehicle in a careless or negligent manner.” No field sobriety test was conducted.
The citation would eventually be dismissed, with the reason listed as “defective citation,” and Bain was never charged in connection with the crash.
According to a diagram in the crash report, first obtained Interstate-95 has five regular lanes and an additional express lane. The report states that Bain, (driver) was traveling northbound in the outside center lane when the left front of his vehicle collided with the right rear of another car.
The collision resulted in Bain’s vehicle going through two lanes on the right and hitting the east concrete wall before going across the entire six-lane highway. It hit the west concrete wall, where the vehicle eventually came to a stop.
In October 2024, the driver of the collided car sued Bain on a count of motor vehicle negligence, alleging that the wreck caused him physical injury along with mental anguish.
Another driver voluntarily dismissed his case with prejudice in June. Court records also show a mediation session was scheduled for March, including counsel representing Bain, Betts’ estate and an auto insurance company.
In a separate incident, Bain was issued another citation on Oct. 14, 2025, which indicated he was involved in another crash. The second citation was also dismissed due to a “defective citation.”
As with most prior legal situations, NFL teams will conduct their own investigations into the incident and make their own decisions based on all available information — including anything from law enforcement and whether or not Bain was up front about his incident during team interviews .
Bain is considered one of the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. Bain checks in at No. 9 overall and the third-best edge rusher, behind Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
Despite his top-tier talent, questions have swirled around Bain leading up to the draft because of his arm length, which checks in at under 31 inches.
I’m curious on how the University of Miami has kept his driving history out of the media. With no field sobriety, test and lack of media, is this another prime example of an elite athlete getting away with crime?
Shiny Armor?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
UCF Spring Football is underway, and the Knights have another opportunity to learn more about their reshaped roster under head coach Scott Frost as he enters his second first season in Orlando.
While expectations of another 2017-style undefeated run are unrealistic, optimism around this team is growing fast. UCF returns with a strong amount of production from last season while also adding key transfers, providing a much stronger foundation than it had a year ago.
Although the season remains months away, spring football offers the first real look at what this team could become in 2026. From position battles to scheme fits and leadership development, there is plenty to learn before kickoff arrives.
Here are the three offensive biggest questions UCF needs to answer during spring football.
How quickly can Alonza Barnett III take command of the offense? There is no question Alonzo Barnett III is the headline addition of UCF’s offseason.
Adding a projected starting quarterback who just led JMU on a run to the College Football Playoff immediately raises both the standard and the expectations for UCF entering the 2026 season.
Head coach Scott Frost and the staff believe in Barnett beyond physical tools. They view him as a proven winner, someone with the leadership, poise, and playmaking ability to elevate the players around him.
The biggest question, though, is how quickly that success can translate. Barnett spent the past four seasons at James Madison developing within one system and growing comfortable in that environment.
Now, he is being asked to step into a new offense, build chemistry with a new locker room and replicate that same production in essentially one offseason. No pressure, right?
One of the biggest focuses this spring is Frost and quarterbacks coach McKenzie Milton. They must work to build timing, chemistry and overall cohesiveness around football’s most important position on the field.
Can AJ Blazek fix UCF’s offensive line issues? The Knight’s offensive line enters spring as one of the biggest areas to monitor after difficulty and inconsistency in 2025.
The Knights endured the tragic loss of offensive line coach Shawn Clack early in the year, and even with Danny Hope stepping in to help stabilize the group, the unit never fully found its rhythm.
At times, the line showed flashes individually. Collectively they struggled, which led to costly mistakes, like penalties at the worst possible moments. Whether it was a holding call or a false start, it frequently felt like UCF’s momentum was being derailed during key second-half drives or comeback opportunities.
Now, UCF turns to new offensive line coach AJ Blazek to reshape the group.
Blazek wasted no time putting his stamp on the room, helping bring in four transfer portal additions to compete for major roles up front. While the tackle spots appear relatively stable entering spring, the biggest questions lie on the interior, where center and guard battles could play a major role in determining the offense’s ceiling.
Few position groups will be impacted more by UCF’s offensive line play than the running backs.
Who will emerge as UCF’s lead running back? The Knights brought in two experienced transfer backs in Duke Watson and Laden Chambers, both of whom are expected to compete for major roles in the offense. Each brings a different skill set, but both have the experience to help carry the load in Scott Frost’s system.
The biggest question is who will separate themselves as the true three-down back.
That battle becomes even more intriguing with Taevion Swint returning to the mix after missing last season with a meniscus injury. The former four-star recruit has worked his way back and gives UCF another talented option in the room if he is fully healthy.
Spring camp should provide the first real look at how the workload could be divided and whether one back is ready to take control of the position group.
Spring practices officially begin for the Knights on March 31st, giving UCF their first real chance to start answering these 3 questions on the field.
Spring Is In The Air
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Spring football is underway in Athens, and the Georgia Bulldogs football are already starting to get a clearer picture of what the roster might look like heading into the 2026 season.
The Bulldogs are approaching the midpoint of spring practice, and in a recent press conference head coach Kirby Smart said he’s been pleased with the work his team has put in so far.
Practices have been competitive, with plenty of young players getting valuable reps as Georgia continues to build depth across the roster.
Of course, it wouldn’t be spring practice without a few bumps and bruises. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has been wearing a sleeve on his knee after dealing with a minor injury during offseason workouts. Smart said Stockton was limited a little early in spring practice but has been out there competing and continuing to improve.
Several other Bulldogs have also been limited.
Wide receiver Isiah Canion, a transfer expected to help lead the receiving corps, has been dealing with a sprained ankle. Defensive back, and former Camden County Wildcat Ja’Marley Riddle is still working back from a significant injury and hasn’t been able to participate much physically yet.
On top of that, a handful of players have been held out of spring practice entirely while recovering from injuries, including Drew Bobo, Gabe Harris, Zayden Walker, Jordan Hall, Kyron Jones and Carter Luckie.
Even with those setbacks, Smart says the team has shown good energy during the first several practices.
One of the biggest storylines this spring is along the offensive line. Georgia made a change during the offseason, promoting Phil Rauscher to offensive line coach after he spent last year with the program as an analyst.
Rauscher brings a long NFL background to the position, and players say he’s already introduced some new ideas, especially when it comes to understanding how the offensive line fits into the bigger picture of the offense.
There’s also plenty of competition up front. Georgia lost a couple of experienced linemen and is rotating multiple players at tackle, guard and center this spring.
Smart said the coaching staff is using spring practice to evaluate as many players as possible while building depth at one of the most important positions on the field.
Another player drawing attention early in spring practice is defensive lineman Elijah Griffin.
Smart said Griffin has shown flashes of being disruptive with his quickness and strength.
The freshman still has plenty of development ahead of him, but the coaching staff believes he has the tools to become a major contributor on the defensive front.
The quarterback room has also been busy this spring. Behind Stockton, several younger quarterbacks are getting a lot of extra work in practice and during seven on seven drills. Smart said repetition is key for developing quarterbacks, and Georgia has been intentional about making sure those players get as many reps as possible.
Meanwhile, the running back group is focusing on the next step in its development.
Smart said players like Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens are working on things like pass protection, catching the ball out of the backfield and creating yards after contact.
All of that work will eventually lead to one of the most anticipated events of the spring in Athens.
Georgia’s annual spring game, known as G-Day, is set for April 18 at Sanford Stadium.
The scrimmage begins at 1 p.m. and will give fans their first look at the 2026 Bulldogs in a game type setting.
With several practices still ahead, Smart says the focus right now is simple. He wants his team to keep competing, keep improving and keep building toward the fall.
Driving The Wrong Road
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Two Georgia Bulldogs football players were arrested on driving-related charges recently, per the Athens-Clarke County jail log.
Junior linebacker Chris Cole, who was fourth on the team in tackles last season, was booked on one count of reckless driving and one count of speeding over the maximum limit.
Sophomore edge Darren Ikinnagbon was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors: reckless driving, speeding and following too closely.
It is unclear if the arrests are connected to the same incident. The police report both players were arrested for driving 105 mph on an Athens highway, 40 mph over the speed limit.
Both players were driving 2025 Mercedes SUVs. They were arrested and released at separate times, within an hour of each other. The bonds were $39 for Ikinnagbon and $26 for Cole
While misdemeanor traffic charges typically do not lead to additional jail time, the program’s history with driving arrests could lead to harsher internal punishment for Cole and Ikinnagbon.
There have now been 13 known instances of Georgia Bulldog players being arrested on driving charges since the January 2023 car crash that killed player Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy.
In recent history, last November reserve offensive lineman Nyjer Daniels was dismissed from the program after being charged with a felony following a traffic arrest.
Last year, receiver Nitro Tuggle and offensive lineman Marques Easley entered the transfer portal shortly after traffic arrests for which they were charged with misdemeanors.
While details of this week’s arrests are not yet public, the players are expected to remain on the team.
Coach Kirby Smart said he has taken different steps to fix the issues, saying two years ago the program would withhold name, image and likeness payments from players who had traffic arrests or even citations. Suspensions and, in some cases, dismissals have also been issued, especially in the last year.
“Each case is a case-by-case basis,” Smart said last November after dismissing Daniels. “And we’ll always evaluate things on a case-by-case basis, based on the student-athlete’s history and the particulars of the case.”
Cole and Ikinnagbon released statements of apology.
“I recognize the seriousness of this matter and the responsibility that comes with representing the University of Georgia and our football program,” Cole wrote. “I understand that there are high standards for how we conduct ourselves, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I deeply regret the impact and negative attention this has caused for my coaches, teammates and family.”
It continues to amaze me how people excuse the behavior just because they’re football players. I’ve spoken to Bulldog fans who state comments like “no one else cares why should we” or “Well it’s just speeding” or “The Athens Police are out of control”.
We call them kids. They are not kids. They are adults. Yes, young people do stupid stuff. I did. We all did. But it does not excuse or even begin to justify their behavior.
I am not saying kick them off the team or drop an atomic bomb. At the same time, we all should face consequences for our actions, and the behavior should not just be blown off because fans care about their football team’s results.
We might need some legal insight from an attorney or paralegal. Are these players getting preferential treatment with fines and the amount of the bond set?
New To North Avenue
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We are going to take a look at Georgia Tech’s football recruiting for 2026.
The Yellow Jackets have the 29th ranked transfer portal recruiting class. They have a total of 19 commits with 3 four-star players and 16 three-star players.
On the surface that doesn’t sound very impressive. The four schools ranked in front of them are Oregon, USC, Florida State and Florida. By comparison, they are not far off from some major programs.
Four-star junior running back Justice Haynes transfers in from Michigan. Haynes attended Buford (GA) High School and he initially went to Alabama. He transferred to Michigan in December 2024. Last season he rushed for 857 yards, 10 touchdowns and he averaged 7.1 yards per carry. This is a major addition for the offense.
Quarterback Alberto Mendoza (Indiana) has also transferred to Tech. His older brother Fernando won the Heisman Trophy last season and led the Hoosiers to the national championship. If he can play like his brother the Yellow Jackets will have a great season.
Four-star linebacker/edge rusher Noah Carter (Alabama) is also on campus. He was a top-100 player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class. In 2025 he played in 11 games for the Crimson Tide and recorded 9 tackles and a half tackle for loss. He’s 6’4, 242 pounds so he passes the eye test for being a big time LB. Hopefully he can develop into that.
Four-star WR Jaylen Mbakwe (Alabama) can play a few positions. In 2024 he was a DB for Alabama and he had 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 interception and 2 pass break ups. He also had two punt returns for a combined 46 yards and a 15-yard kickoff return. He switched to wide receiver before the 2024 bowl game. In 2025 he had three catches for 55 yards and one rush for a four-yard gain.
Wide receiver Isiah Fuhrmann (Elon) played great last season. He had 46 receptions, 907 yards, 9 TD’s and 19.7 yards per catch. He did play for an FCS team but we have seen players from lower divisions excel for Power Four teams.
Some of the other key players in the class include WR Jaiven Plummer (Cal), TE Spencer Mermans (Yale), DL Tim Griffin (Cincinnati), IOL Joseph Ionata (Alabama), Edge Jordan Walker (Rutgers), Edge Taje McCoy (Oklahoma State), DL Vincent Carroll-Jackson (U Conn), CB Jonas Duclona (South Florida), DL Tawfiq Thomas (Colorado), OT Favour Edwin (Auburn), P Alex Bacchetta (Rice), OT Markell Samuel (Oklahoma State), TE Gavin Harris (New Mexico State) and TE Chris Corbo (Dartmouth).
Tech has 18 outgoing transfers so they did a good job of replacing some of that talent.
The Yellow Jackets are ranked 41st in the 2026 high school recruiting rankings. They add 24 commits with 3 four-star players and 21 three-star players.
Four-star QB Cole Bergeron attended St. Thomas More in Lafayette, Louisiana. He’s 6’4, 215 lbs. and as a senior he passed for 2,346 yards and 27 scores over nine games. He was the No. 12 player in Louisiana and the No. 20 quarterback nationally. He initially committed to Virginia Tech.
Four-star CB Jaedyn Terry attended Manchester High School in Warm Springs, GA. He was ranked as the No. 21 player in the state of GA and he’s a four-sport athlete.
We will see how the new talent will mesh during the spring.
Florida Recruiting
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
While the highlight of Florida’s first offseason under new head coach Jon Sumerall has been the key talent retention, there is no doubt the program’s roster will look much different this season.
Sumrall and the new-look Florida coaching and personnel staff have accepted 30 commitments from transfers over the last month, in addition to 20 high school prospects, and two walk-ons.
Yet, the NCAA’s recent consolidation of its transfer portal windows has left Sumrall wondering if Florida has filled each of its positional needs ahead of the 2026 campaign.
“We don’t have the luxury of that second window now, so that’s a little bit more daunting, because you don’t get a chance — I’m not going to have any opportunity to watch this team practice and go correct in the second portal,” Sumrall said. “We just have to go watch them practice and try to fix it, or make somebody better or maybe move guys around. That’s a little bit more unnerving.
“I wouldn’t be upset as a first-year head coach if we had the second portal window. I used it to my benefit the last job I was at. I would be okay if they gave us an emergency second portal window.”
Florida has accepted at least one transfer commitment for every position group this offseason, from quarterback to long snapper.
But from Sumrall’s point of view, evaluating the overall quality of the class is not an easy task right now.
Florida took a handful of prospects with proven production, including 12 players with double-digit career starts, such as wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr, edge rusher Emmanuel Oyebadejo, safety DJ Coleman, offensive linemen Harrison Moore and TJ Shanahan Jr, who each project to earn first-team or significant rotational roles with UF.
On the flip side, transfer pickups like quarterback Aaron Philip, defensive tackle DK Kalyn, tight end Luke Harpring, offensive tackle Eadab Boyer and others — while expected to contribute in 2026 and potentially beyond — have yet to fully prove their worth at the college level, with limited playing experience on their résumés. Florida is, effectively, banking on their potential.
Still, Sumrall expressed appreciation for how Florida’s vast transfer class came together.
Gators’ General Manager Dave Caldwell is spearheading the effort to scout the portal market and narrow the list of quality prospects for Sumrall to evaluate and target.
In High School recruiting, the Gators are behind SEC heavyweights such as Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma programs that continue to hoard top-five classes. This sharpens how Florida’s progress should be measured.
Florida’s 2026 haul reflects targeted intention, with a class that features 13 four-star prospects among 20 total commits who cover multiple phases of the game.
Four-star wide receivers Davian Grocery and Justin Williams anchor the class at the top, offering production on the offensive side of the ball.
Key in-state additions such as cornerback C.J. Hester and safety Kaiden Hall reinforce Florida’s ability to compete for premium talent around the Sunshine State on defense.
In the new world of NIL recruiting both high school and transfer portal, the Florida Gators ranked 14th overall combined by on industry ranking. They are projected to be 26th in NIL spending for the 2026 season.
Overall, Sumrall’s first class with limited NIL money looks like a success.
SEC Shows The Money
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The SEC is college sports’ first billion-dollar conference. Or at least they’re the first to announce it.
The SEC made enough revenue this most recent fiscal year to distribute $1.03 billion to its 16 schools, the conference announced Thursday. That’s an increase from $808.4 million during the 2023-24 fiscal year.
That means SEC schools received an average payout of $72.4 million, up from $53.8 million in the previous year.
That payout also came in the last year before schools were required to share revenue with athletes, $20.6 million beginning this past fall. So,
if the current fiscal year payout ends up just a tick higher, the year-over-year increase would match what SEC teams are paying their athletes in NIL deals.
“As college athletics continues to undergo significant change, SEC universities are well-positioned to deliver new financial benefits for student-athletes while continuing to offer a transformative, life-changing college experience,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.
The timing for the SEC’s massive increase is no surprise: 2024-25 was the SEC’s first year in its new ESPN contract, as well as the first with Oklahoma and Texas in the conference, and the year in which the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams.
The Big Ten is also expected to go above the $1 billion mark. Its total revenue was $928 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year, and while that was the first for its new television package, it then added Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.
The vast majority of conference revenue comes from television contracts; ESPN is paying the SEC more than $900 million (the exact figure has not been revealed).
That number is expected to increase by around $5 million more per school next year with the SEC agreeing to add a ninth conference game for football.
Other revenue comes from the NCAA basketball tournament, bowl payouts, the SEC football championship game, the SEC men’s basketball tournament and NCAA championships.
The SEC generally has an equal distribution policy, but teams that make the CFP also receive direct payouts, which were included in the $1.03 billion figure. Texas, for instance, received $12.1 million just for making the CFP semifinals.
The SEC’s announcement just means More $$$$$$$.
