Jon Sumrall perfectly encapsulates how he wants his Florida players to come together

It is still so incredibly early in Jon Sumrall's tenure at Florida, but he appears to be saying all the right things. During his first post-practice media session following the opening of spring ball, he provided this key insight, in addition to why wide receiver Dallas Wilson missed day one of spring practice... Sumrall has won at prolifically high levels at Tulane and Troy previously because he believes in team.

Of the many things Sumrall said at the podium, this one about it not being his team, per se, resonated.

“A great team has to be player-led … it’s not my team. I’m the head coach, but it’s not my team, it’s their team.”

Not to say previous Florida teams have been a collection of individuals, but this is a breath of fresh air.

As Sumrall continues to put in the work on the recruiting trail, team-first messaging goes a long way.

Jon Sumrall preaches great teams win together after first Florida practice

This is what great leadership looks like. Sumrall may be a savvy defensive minded, but he is starting to prove himself as a blossoming CEO-type. Yes, he could be on everyone's case as a total micro-manager, but that does not work for him. What does is empowering his key players and top assistants to make a difference. It is why he was able to hire Buster Faulkner and Brad White over the offseason.

Whether it is someone coming in via the transfer portal like former Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo, somebody who has been on the team for a while now, or somebody who just got here out of high school, internal leadership and accountability will go a long way with this team. The shame in it all is it felt like DJ Lagway never really had a chance at Florida, as Billy Napier had lost the plot long ago...

While everything Sumrall said during this press conference will be dissected and combed through multiple times, this bit about great teams having to be player-led certainly resonates. It is a simple solution to an otherwise challenging concept. Putting your best people in positions to succeed is easier said than done. Clearly, Sumrall has a knack for it that some of the best in the sport do not.

Now that he is fully at Florida, it is starting to make sense why it work for Sumrall at Tulane and Troy.