Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Former Florida Football Player Roundtable II
- Florida Football Preseason Superlatives
- Notebook: Depth chart released
- Post-Fall Camp Ranking of Florida position-by-position
With Florida’s 2026 season opener against Florida Atlantic just days away, Inside the Gators has turned to former Gators football players to get their take on the upcoming season and the state of Florida football.
We will publish the results as they are returned.
Today we have responses from linebacker/running back Scott Peek (2008-12), offensive lineman Steve Rissler (2003-06), linebacker Brandon Spikes (2006-09), and offensive lineman Max Starks (2000-03).
What is your take on what went wrong during the Billy Napier Era?
Peek: It seems like Coach Napier is a high-character guy, but we never seemed like a mentally tough or disciplined team. In fairness to Coach Napier, I do not know that we had the same level of commitment during his tenure as many other high profile universities had to NIL. I could be wrong, but I felt like we were outmanned from a talent perspective with many of our peers.
Rissler: I think the thing that went wrong during the Billy Napier era was mainly leadership and playcalling. Napier seemed like he would be a good coordinator, or coach, not necessarily the head coach. Player development was lacking, and playcalling was atrocious.
Spikes: It failed at the fundamental level. There were too many simple mistakes, unnecessary penalties, and repeated breakdowns. That points to a lack of discipline and preparation. Strength and conditioning also appeared to be an issue, and not having a true offensive coordinator hurt the program. You can’t consistently win in the SEC when the fundamentals aren’t right.
Starks: I loved the hire initially, and the man was a genius schematically, but that didn’t translate to being Florida’s Head ball coach. Structure was lacking from an accountability aspect. You can’t fear losing players in this NIL era, and there seemed to be a nervous air about not upsetting the players and being lenient out of fear of losing ‘that’ guy. Leadership is deliberate and permeates throughout the program and fan base.
To this point, what is your opinion of Jon Sumrall?
Peek: Sumrall was not on my radar during the coaching search, but I have loved what I have seen so far. He seems like a genuine guy, high energy, and like he has the right screw loose to have success at a place like Florida.
Rissler: To this point, I love Jon Sumrall and what he stands for. He reminds me a lot of Urban. He’s got the demeanor of a head coach and demands a lot from his players. I hope this transitions to game days and wins!
Spikes: Linebackers recognize linebackers. I can feel his energy and intensity, and I like what I’ve seen from him as a coach and the culture he’s building. But culture isn’t what you say during the offseason; it’s what your team looks like on Saturdays. Ask me again after a few games.
Starks: I like the energy and passion Coach Sumrall brings to the table, and he is very task-oriented with a clear plan of execution. That type of transparency matters for young men, and the path has to be deliberate and direct. I like that.
What are your thoughts on where Florida currently stands at your former position heading into the 2026 season?
Peek: At linebacker, it seems like we are going to be on a level we haven’t been in years. I’m excited to have such experienced guys in the middle of our defense. Seems like we don’t really have a fullback, but to say I am excited about the running back room would be an understatement.
Rissler: My man Phil Trautwein is the o-line coach, and I love that for UF. I think he brings a lot of demand for technique to the o-line. And it seems like our strength and conditioning coach has had big gains to our players during the off-season.
Spikes: Linebacker should be one of the strengths of this defense. They have talent, experience, and depth with Myles Graham, Jaden Robinson, and Aaron Chiles leading the room. The linebacker has to be the heartbeat of the defense. I want to see them communicate, play downhill, finish tackles, and set the physical tone every Saturday. Make them wish they never have to play us again. The talent is there. Now they have to put it on film.
Is there a player on the team who you believe is flying under the radar but will shine this year? Is there a player you believe needs to step up?
Peek: I wasn’t able to make any of the practices during camp this year and only caught one spring practice, so I’m not sure about any guys flying under the radar. Not a single player then needs to step up, but we really need someone in the tight end position room to step up and be a pass-catching threat. It changes how we can call plays and how teams need to defend us. Not having a dynamic player there was very limiting for our offense during Napier’s tenure.
Rissler: There’s not a single player that stands out to me; however, I do believe the o-line will be much better than what is expected. I feel like Trautwein will have these boys ready!
Spikes: Ty Jackson is flying under the radar on defense, and Evan Pryor could be that guy on offense. As far as who needs to step up, I’m not putting that on one player. The entire offensive line and the entire secondary have to step up as units. Football exposes the weakest link, so everybody in those rooms has to do his job.
Starks: Surprise, surprise, my under the radar player is an offensive lineman! I believe Bryce Lovett will have every opportunity to be a linchpin in the offense’s success. Protecting whoever is at quarterback will be paramount since there’s not a lot of experience at the position. I believe he took the right mindset this offseason, changing his body and working hard to become the Day 1 starter at LT.
I want little VB [Vernell Brown III] to step in and take the WR1 option as a threat from the slot position; he’s dynamic and very sudden in his movements; he just needs to stay healthy.
Florida faces five opponents – #3 Georgia, #5 Texas, #9 Ole Miss, #10 Oklahoma, and #25 Missouri – who are ranked inside the top 25 of the AP Preseason Poll. Which game do you believe they are most likely to win?
Peek: For wins against ranked opponents, I think we’ll beat Missouri and could upset Oklahoma.
Spikes: Missouri is the most winnable one. But I can also see Florida upsetting Oklahoma in the Swamp. Oklahoma hasn’t experienced the Swamp before, and if Florida gives that crowd a reason to stay in the game, it can become a long night for them.
Starks: I believe Mizzou would be the game I’m eyeing to be the upset. Normally, I don’t like road games for the upset, but I believe the away environment won’t be too daunting if they jump to an early lead, and the run game grinds the Tigers’ defense to a halt.
What is your prediction for Florida’s final 12-game regular-season record?
Peek: I would say 7-5 or 8-4.
Rissler: I have UF winning at least eight games! Go Gators!
Spikes: I’m going with 8–4. It’s a difficult schedule and a first-year staff, but there’s enough talent on this roster to win eight games if everyone does their job! Stay disciplined, protect the football, and get better every week.
Starks: 8 games is what I believe this team is capable of winning, with a +/- of 1.
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