Florida football finds itself right in the middle of the SEC pack in CBS Sports’ power rankings for the 2026 season, a reflection of both uncertainty and quiet optimism surrounding the program entering Jon Sumrall’s first year with the Orange and Blue.
CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello slotted the Gators 10th in the SEC, placing Florida firmly in the conference’s crowded middle tier following a chaotic transfer portal cycle and a full coaching reset.
Sumrall inherited a group that needed significant turnover, and that context matters. Florida lost key contributors to the portal, rebuilt large portions of its depth chart and is still sorting out several position battles heading into spring practice.
CBS Sports pointed specifically to quarterback uncertainty, noting the compeition between Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. as a storyline that could ultimately swing Florida’s ceiling one way or another.
It’s simply too early to make definitive judgements. Spring practices, sumeer development and continued roster movement will reshape the conference landscape before fall arrives. For Florida, that means the current ranking by CBS Sports should be viewed more as a snapshot than a verdict.
For now, the Gators are positioned as a team with something to prove.
Here is everything Marcello wrote about Florida and why he ranked them at No. 10 in the SEC power rankings.
What CBS Sports said about Florida
“Jon Sumrall arrives with a major rebuild on his hands in Gainesville. The former Tulane and Troy coach has never won less than 10 games in a single season, but make sure to temper your expectations for Year 1 in the SEC. He had to overhaul a roster depleted by transfers, and we don’t quite know what to expect with Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo battling Tramell Jones Jr. at quarterback.
“Still, Sumrall has the magic touch and knows how to build rosters. He also hired a top-tier staff. The Gators could be in the top half of the SEC this season, but we need to see more this spring and summer to better gauge the Gators.”
CBS Sports’ 2026 SEC power rankings
- Texas Longhorns
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Oklahoma Sooners
- LSU Tigers
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Missouri Tigers
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Florida Gators
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Auburn Tigers
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Vanderbilt Commodores
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
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