Florida Gators’ blowout vs. Ole Miss gave Jon Sumrall more than just a victory, and it will help them long-term
Recruiting for the Florida Gators has been picking up, and having a blowout win over a top-5 team in The Swamp certainly helps.
The Florida Gators have been recruiting at a high level since Jon Sumrall arrived as the head coach right after Thanksgiving. After keeping Billy Napier’s recruiting class together, Sumrall has the Gators with the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation for 2028, led by the No. 2 overall recruit in five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller.
That has continued after the 52-28 blowout win over the Miss Rebels, as they landed 2028 four-star offensive lineman Samuel Bailey
Florida Gators land elite 2028 recruit Samuel Bailey
This is a massive win for the Gators, as it’s always good to build up the trenches. Bailey is the No. 23 overall recruit and No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2028 class, per Rivals. Standing at 6-5.5 and 300 pounds, Bailey has the frame of a high-level offensive tackle, and you can never have too many of those guys.
What is interesting is how Sumrall and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein have changed how they are recruiting the position. There were priorities in targeting very tall players at tackle, including three-star Chancellor Campbell who measured in at 6-8. Eagan Boyer is also 6-8, and he lost the starting left tackle job to Bryce Lovett.
The offensive line has a lot of high-upside players on it, with some intriguing talents to continue developing. The good news as well for the Gators is only one starter on the offensive line is a senior: left guard Knijeah Harris.
Bailey is two years away from getting on campus, barring him reclassifying, which isn’t the worst thing with how the offensive line is shaping up for the Gators right now.
With the 2028 recruiting class, Sumrall has three commitments after four weeks of the 2026 season.
- Four-star OT Samuel Bailey
- Four-star WR Armani Strong
- Four-star S Cyion Smith
