​The Florida Gators have taken a step in the right direction in their first year under head coach Jon Sumrall in the 2026 season. Sumrall took over the program after they dismissed Billy Napier following a 4-8 record in the 2025 season.Sumrall and the Gators got off to a fast start in 2026, holding a 4-0 record before losing back-to-back games. Florida was able to bounce back and got a strong win over the Texas Longhorns to improve to 5-2. However, Sumrall and the Gators are looking to have sustained success and have done a phenomenal job recruiting for 2027. According to ESPN, Florida has the fourth-best 2027 recruiting class in the country, headlined by Easton Royal and Ja’Bios Smith.Royal originally committed to the Longhorns before flipping to the Gators. He played at an elite level in the 2025 season, with 2,095 all-purpose yards and 29 touchdowns. Royal should be a true difference-maker for Florida’s offense.USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectSmith should also play a key role as a star linebacker. In 2025, he had 72 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery in nine games.Sumrall has also prioritized building a strong offensive line, landing five-star Maxwell Hiller and the top-ranked center, Peyton Miller. If Florida can add a few more talented pieces to this class and are active in the transfer portal, they could have an elite roster in 2027 and be in position to compete for a National Championship.The Gators are currently the 17th-ranked team in the country, with a matchup against the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs up next. If Florida can win that game, they will once again be one of the top-ranked teams in the country and have a shot at making it to the College Football Playoff.They will need to lean on their current star of the program, running back Jadan Baugh. Baugh was a contender to win the Heisman Trophy early in the season, but hasn’t been as dominant in recent games. He is still having a great season and is one of the best running backs in college football, as he’s rushed for 763 yards and 13 touchdowns on 135 carries, along with nine receptions for 59 yards.If the Gators can get Baugh going against Georgia, they will give themselves a chance to pull off a major upset.Sumrall is leading Florida’s football program in the right direction, and with the strong 2027 recruiting class they’re putting together, they should be highly competitive next season.