5 True Freshmen To Watch For The Gators In Spring Practice

The Florida Gators will start Spring practice tomorrow and the roster will have plenty of new names for the 2026 season. While the Gators worked to rebuild the roster and landed some great players out of the transfer portal, head coach Jon Sumrall and the staff were able to keep most of the 2026 class in tact and there are a few players that can come in and make an impact immediately.

Here are 5 true freshmen that I’ll be watching during Spring practice:

5) TE Heze Kent

Heze Kent isn’t your normal tight end. The 6’6” 315 pound (Yes, you read that correctly) freshman from Brunswick, Georgia comes in as one of the most physically imposing players I’ve ever seen at the position. When you turn on the film, he’s a mismatch nightmare that has great hands and knows how to make plays after the catch. The staff will work to get his weight down, but he has to chance to move up the depth chart before the 2026 season.

4) EDGE Kevin Ford

Kevin Ford was one of the most highly recruited players in the 2026 recruiting cycle. The 6’3” 245 pound edge rusher from Duncanville, Texas chose Florida over the likes of Texas A&M, Alabama and Ohio State. Coach Gerald Chatman was one of his main recruiters and he’s getting a player that has a chance to be a potential All-SEC caliber player. He has a very quick first step and an array of pass rushing moves that help him get to the quarterback. Both Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs are off to the NFL, so Ford should have a chance to step right in and play early.

3) OT Chancellor Campbell

Chancellor Campbell may have only been rated as a 3-star recruit, but he was one of the most heavily recruited players in the country. The 6’8” 310 pound offensive tackle from St. Petersburg, Florida was coveted by Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State among others, but chose to stay home and play for the Gators. New offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is known as one of the best recruiters and coaches in the business. Campbell has a big frame that’s tailor made to protect the blind side of the quarterback. He’s a player that can develop into a potential 1st round pick.

2) DB Kaiden Hall

Kaiden Hall was one of my favorite recruits in the 2026 recruiting class. The 6’3” 200 pound safety from Milton, Florida chose Florida over Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida State. Coach Chris Collins is going to love to work with Hall because he has the ability to play free safety, strong safety and nickel. Hall also played quarterback while in high school, so that should help him with being able to make reads in the secondary. He’s a ballhawk and isn’t afraid to come up and hit you at the line of scrimmage. I believe he has the ability to develop into one of the best players and leaders on the defense in a couple of years.

1) WR Davian Groce

Davian Groce is one of the most electrifying playmakers that the Gators have ever landed. The 6’1” 190 wide receiver from Frisco, Texas chose Florida over Oklahoma and Baylor. It was a huge win for Coach Sumrall to get him on campus because when you turn on the film, all he does is make plays. He can line up anywhere on the offense whether it’s outside, in the slot or even in the backfield. He’s simply too good of a player to keep off the field and I believe he’s gonna play right away. With Coach Marcus Davis coaching him, he’s a potential All-SEC caliber player with his skill set.

The 2026 class for the Florida Gators are full of players that have so much potential. They have a coaching staff led by Jon Sumrall that knows how to develop and get the best out of them. I highlighted thes five players because I feel like they have the best chance to play early and make a major impact in their careers while at Florida. We’re in the NIL and transfer portal era, so things can change, but if they stay at Florida, they could develop into great players.

Stay tuned to https://www.flofactorysports.com for more on the Florida Gators.