![Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks after spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_35,w_2614,h_1470/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01knte587qr7c281m9dj.jpg "Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks after spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
When a new President comes into office, there is a plan to set the tone for the administration's plans and goals in those first 100 days. For Jon Sumrall, and any new coach coming into a major college football program, those first 100 days are also crucial to establishing a standard on the field, in the locker room and on the recruiting trail.
Sumrall took the Gators job on November 30, but he really didn't start the job until after Tulane was eliminated from the playoffs on December 20. It's been a little more than 100 days since then, but in that time the new Florida Gators coach has been working on what he wants the team to look like and the players he wants to bring in the program.
The past two days, Sumrall and his staff have successfully recruited two players that they believe will be cornerstone pieces on offense — five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller and four-star quarterback Davin Davidson.
I did not expect Jon Sumrall to be this good of a recruiter this fast
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) April 9, 2026
Credit to him and the staff 🐊
Florida makes a huge recruiting statement this week
The goal is to win games, compete for championships and make the College Football Playoff 12-team bracket. In order to accomplish that goal, you need elite players. Hiller is an elite offensive lineman. He is the best in his class — a player with legitimate NFL upside. Hiller is a player that has a long-time connection with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. He knows what kind of football player Trautwein wants to coach and he embraces the environment that Sumrall has created.
Davidson has emerged from being an unknown prospect to the top-rated quarterback in the state and one of the best in the country. He took a visit to Gainesville to meet the new coaches and left with an offer. Davidson has already won a state championship with his high school program, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, so he's a proven winner. Sumrall wants winners on the roster.
It's been a whirlwind few months for Gators football, but the direction is getting clearer by the day. Sumrall is setting a standard and getting the players that he believes will lead to a championship.