{"id":273428,"date":"2026-05-16T13:39:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/273428\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T13:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:39:07","slug":"florida-footballs-top-breakout-player-candidates-for-the-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/273428\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida football&#8217;s top breakout player candidates for the 2026 season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>May 16, 2026, 8:01 a.m. ET<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/football\/ncaaf\/teams\/florida-gators\/3472\/\" data-autotag=\"5f17983d-3ab8-4b35-9954-23714ad248dd\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-t-l=\":b|e|k|\u2691u\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Florida<\/a> football underwent a massive roster overhaul this offseason \u2014 20 multi-game starters departed the program and 52 new players joined the Orange and Blue. As dust settles from the upheaval, major opportunities have emerged for returning players to climb the depth chart and carve out star roles for Jon Sumrall and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/sports\/college-sports\/sec\/florida\" data-autotag=\"13e400dd-2caf-4743-8f66-2d6e34ba4e99\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-t-l=\":b|e|k|\u2691u\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Gators<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Several underclassmen and returners are expected to compete for prominent snaps in new head coach Jon Sumrall&#8217;s debut season. The first-year head man in Gainesville has emphasized internal player development as a path to contention and a major piece to Florida&#8217;s rebuild. The ascension of these players will determine the Gators long-term potential.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Gators are looking to reestablish a competitive resume within the SEC, anchored by Jadan Baugh, Florida&#8217;s All-SEC running back who amassed 1,170 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, along with linebacker Myles Graham, who led the team in tackles, and receiver Vernell Brown III, who became the first Gator true freshman in program history to lead the team in catches and receiving yards.\u00a0But Florida will need others to step into the mix and elevate the team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While Florida&#8217;s depth chart remains fluid entering fall camp, <a href=\"https:\/\/247sports.com\/college\/florida\/longformarticle\/florida-gators-football-12-breakout-candidates-2026-season-not-including-transfers-285067928\/#2826978\" data-t-l=\":b|z|k|\u2691u\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Swamp247<\/a> recently identified a dozen Gators who could emerge as breakout candidates this upcoming season.<\/p>\n<p>Breakout candidates for Florida football in 2026-27Tramell Jones Jr. &#8211; QuarterbackLJ McCray &#8211; Defensive linemanDallas Wilson &#8211; Wide receiverBen Hanks III &#8211; CornerbackDuke Clark &#8211; Running backJoseph Mbatchou &#8211; Defensive linemanJeramiah McCloud &#8211; Defensive linemanAmir Jackson &#8211; Tight endKJ Ford &#8211; EDGEFletcher Westphal &#8211; Offensive tackleTJ Dice Jr. &#8211; Offensive tackleLagonza Hayward &#8211; SafetyNeed a news break? 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