Jon Sumrall takes a strong stance against NFL players trying to return to college

It was nice to get back to college football this past weekend. And it was nice to watch college football players playing college football.

Jon Sumrall is all for college football players playing college football, but some programs, namely LSU, are looking to skirt the system at every step possible because the people associated with that athletic program aren't even trying to act like they still have a shred of integrity remaining.

LSU is trying to work every angle possible to get players that have been in NFL camps and played NFL preseason games to come to Baton Rouge for a final crack at college football. They have received commitments out of the transfer portal from tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, both of whom played for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss last season. 

Jon Sumrall wants college players to play the college game

While the SEC continues to figure out exactly what to do about one of its member programs completely going rogue, Sumrall is staying out of the fray.

"I think if you were an NFL player, you're an NFL player. If you're a college player, you're a college player. I set our roster – you know, we got a roster set a while ago to move forward, and there was no loophole [for] a player," he said. "Now, if it's legal and approved and all that, then that's a different deal. But our league has said they're against it. So if our league's against it, I'm going to follow the rules of the leadership of our conference or of our university."

This isn't to say Sumrall hasn't looked under every available rock to find another player that could make a difference. The Gators offered tight end Jaylen Jordon after the former Jacksonville University basketball player worked out during Pro Day. Eventually, Jordon committed to the Gators and is on the roster. How much he will actually contribute is a different question, but if there's an opening to do something creative with the Gators roster, Sumrall will do it as long as it's within the rules.

However, he's not going to play these silly games that LSU is trying and going through every legal challenge possible. Also, Florida still honors the idea of student-athletes and classes have started in Gainesville. Who knows what's happening in Baton Rouge, but whatever it is, school is beyond an afterthought. 

"Our drop date for academics has passed. It's too late to get enrolled for classes here. So, it would be against the rules because they wouldn't be the student part of being a student-athlete," Sumrall added. "Like, I'm all for adding a good player whenever I can get a good player. But there are some barriers to us adding a good player. I'm going to follow the rules of what our commissioner said, and I'm also not going to – we can't get a guy into classes right now."

When Kiffin decided to go to LSU over Florida, it was for reasons like this. Gator fans and the people around the athletic program want to win, and they want to win big and win championships. But they don't want to be a renegade program. That's why Kiffin couldn't fit in Gainesvile and that's why Sumrall will work out. He is competitive, and he wants to field the best team to play its best game, but he's not going to sell himself or this university out to get that done.

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