Who is listed as Florida's starting quarterback on their first depth chart?
Aaron Philo is listed as Florida's starting quarterback on their first depth chart.
Florida has finally put its first official two-deep on paper, and the biggest takeaway is not who is starting.
It is where Jon Sumrall has left the door open.
The Gators released their first depth chart Monday ahead of Saturday’s season opener against FAU. Much of it matched what Sumrall had already revealed during fall camp, including Aaron Philo at quarterback and the expected starting offensive line.
But several positions remain unsettled.
That matters because Florida is entering Sumrall’s first season with a roster that has undergone significant change. The opening game will offer the coaching staff its first real chance to evaluate how those battles translate under live conditions.
Sumrall has also made clear that the players understand where they stand.
“If you hate the truth, you’re gonna hate being around me,” Sumrall said.
That approach is reflected throughout the depth chart.
The running back room has a clear starter — but not a clear pecking order behind him
Jadan Baugh enters the season as Florida’s unquestioned starting running back.
The more interesting development is behind him.
Evan Pryor won the battle for the No. 2 spot after competing with London Montgomery, Duke Clark and Byron Louis. Pryor transferred to Florida from Cincinnati despite having other opportunities where a starting role may have been easier to secure.
Instead, he chose Gainesville knowing Baugh was likely to return.
That decision now gives Florida an intriguing one-two combination.
Pryor and Baugh bring different styles, which could give the Gators flexibility depending on the situation. Pryor himself pointed to that difference when explaining why Florida made sense for him.
The depth chart, however, should not be interpreted as proof that Montgomery, Clark or Louis will be spectators Saturday.
Florida has every reason to use the opener as an evaluation opportunity.
Montgomery is already expected to contribute as the starting kick returner, while the other backs could receive opportunities behind Baugh and Pryor.
The bigger question is whether Pryor can establish himself as the back Florida trusts most when Baugh leaves the field.
Saturday is the first meaningful step toward answering it.
Kahleil Jackson gives Florida another intriguing receiver option
The return of Kahleil Jackson may be one of the more significant developments hidden inside the depth chart.
Jackson has played only one game across the last two seasons because of a knee injury. Now, he is listed behind Dallas Wilson in an “OR” situation with transfer Micah Mays Jr.
That designation says plenty about the competition.
Florida already has an established group near the top of the receiver rotation. Wilson, Vernell Brown III and Eric Singleton Jr. are listed as starters, with Bailey Stockton and TJ Abrams positioned behind Brown and Singleton, respectively.
Jackson’s presence adds another layer.
His ball skills have long been viewed as a strength. The question has been whether he can stay healthy and maintain the physical demands required of the position.
Sumrall believes Jackson has taken meaningful steps in that area.
The coach said Jackson has gotten lighter during the offseason and has not missed a practice throughout training camp.
That availability may ultimately matter as much as his talent.
If Jackson can remain healthy, Florida could have a veteran receiver capable of contributing in specific situations. Mays Jr., meanwhile, has impressed since arriving from Wake Forest despite a rough showing in one of the team’s early scrimmages.
The “OR” designation means the competition is still alive.
That could make the receiver rotation one of the more interesting developments to monitor against FAU.
Florida’s defensive depth chart tells the bigger story
The most revealing part of Florida’s first depth chart may be the number of defensive positions without a definitive second name.
Four defensive spots feature an “OR” designation.
Two are starting positions.
At defensive end, Kamran James, LJ McCray and Emmanuel Oyebadejo are all listed as co-starters. At cornerback, Cormani McClain and J’Vari Flowers are listed alongside each other opposite Ben Hanks III.
Those battles are hardly surprising.
James brings experience. McCray, meanwhile, has reportedly enjoyed one of the stronger offseasons on the roster while adjusting to the position.
Oyebadejo presents another intriguing option because of his athleticism, although he is still adapting to the speed and physicality of SEC football.
Rather than naming one player and limiting the others, Florida could rotate all three.
That would allow the coaching staff to evaluate how each handles real-game situations without immediately committing to a permanent hierarchy.
The cornerback competition carries a different dynamic.
McClain has shown the ability to make plays, but consistency remains the issue. Sumrall has acknowledged that his best football can be extremely impressive while emphasizing the need for more consistent execution.
Flowers brings versatility to the competition after spending time at both boundary corner and star during the offseason.
That versatility could be valuable if Florida wants to move pieces around based on offensive formations and matchups.
Two more defensive battles could shape the rotation
The “OR” designations do not stop with the starting spots.
Kofi Asare and KJ Ford are listed behind Jayden Woods at jack linebacker.
At nose tackle, DK Kalu and Jamari Lyons are listed behind Jeramiah McCloud.
Those battles may not receive the same attention as the starting cornerback competition, but they could become important as the season progresses.
Florida needs reliable depth along the defensive front and at linebacker. Rotations become especially important once the schedule moves deeper into SEC play, when physical demands increase and offenses begin attacking specific weaknesses.
The FAU game therefore represents more than an opening-night formality for these players.
It is an audition.
What Florida’s first depth chart really tells us
The most important message from Florida’s first depth chart is that Sumrall is willing to leave competition open when the roster has not produced enough separation.
That is particularly evident on defense.
Instead of forcing a decision for the sake of having a clean depth chart, Florida has acknowledged uncertainty at several positions.
That could change quickly once players begin taking meaningful snaps.
The starting quarterback and offensive line are settled. Baugh has the top running back role. Several receiver positions are also clearly defined.
But the remaining battles could determine how deep Florida’s rotation becomes.
And that is where Saturday’s opener becomes useful.
The first Florida Gators 2026 depth chart does not answer every question. It identifies the questions Florida still needs to answer on the field.
Alternative headlines
FLORIDA’S FIRST 2026 DEPTH CHART LEAVES MAJOR DEFENSIVE BATTLES UNSETTLED
JON SUMRALL LEAVES KEY FLORIDA GATORS POSITION BATTLES OPEN AHEAD OF FAU
FAQs
Who is Florida’s starting quarterback in 2026?
Aaron Philo is listed as Florida’s starting quarterback for the season opener against FAU.
Who won Florida’s backup running back battle?
Transfer Evan Pryor earned the No. 2 running back position behind Jadan Baugh.
Is Kahleil Jackson expected to play for Florida against FAU?
Jackson is listed in the receiver rotation and is expected to have a role after returning from his knee injury.
Which Florida defensive positions remain unsettled?
Defensive end, cornerback, backup defensive tackle and backup jack linebacker all feature “OR” designations on the first depth chart.
What does the Florida Gators 2026 depth chart reveal?
It shows that several important defensive and skill-position battles remain open heading into the season opener.
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