Jon Sumrall highlights why the spring game still matters to him

Ahead of Florida’s spring game this Saturday, one of the grand debates is just how much spring games matter anymore. Florida is not televising the game, and there has been a push across college football to demphasize spring games as a whole. Some programs have done away with their spring games while others have morphed them into a character of an event.

But even though Jon Sumrall is introducing a wonky scoring system and framing the game as offense vs. defense, the Gators will still have a standard game. 

Florida to have its spring game this Saturday

At his press conference on Tuesday, Sumrall touched upon the youth of Florida’s roster and the relative inexperience the Gators have heading into 2026. And for Sumrall, it’s that lack of meaningful reps that makes the opportunity to have a spring game meaningful for him:

“And this is a developmental game. I don't know any way you get better at football other than playing football or practicing football. You have to go play it. You don't get better by doing a three-point contest.” 

One of the common retorts to the spring game is that teams have already had multiple scrimmages by the time the spring game rolls around, so while we, the public, are getting our first glance of the 2026 Gators, the coaching staff already has a pretty good idea of who can do what.

But Sumrall also seems to understand that the spring game is a chance to put his players in a competitive setting with fans in attendance. And as much as someone may perform when the cameras and lights are off, there is something to be said for someone who can also perform when the lights get turned on. Some guys just freeze when the spotlight starts to shine bright.

And so this Saturday, we expect an intense showing from Florida as Sumrall and his staff try to take advantage of every ounce of opportunity they have to get better before the games count for real this fall.