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Predicting Florida's Stat Leaders for 2026

Florida will open its first season under Jon Sumrall in two weeks. Here's who Florida Gators on SI is predicting to lead in specific stat categories.
Dylan Olive|
Jadan Baugh has the chance to be Florida's first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher in program history.
Jadan Baugh has the chance to be Florida's first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher in program history. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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The Florida Gators are just two weeks away from hosting FAU in the Swamp on Aug. 5, with Jon Sumrall and his new regime preparing for its first season in Gainesville with a talented, yet rather unproven roster.

As Florida continues to progress through fall camp, potential starters and difference makers have become more and more clear. With the information Florida Gators On SI is hearing and seeing, here is my prediction for each stat leader in the new season.

Passing Yards, TDs, INTs: Aaron Philo

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo is currently in a battle to be the Gators' starter.
Florida quarterback Aaron Philo is currently in a battle to be the Gators' starter. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Predicting the Gators' leader in the multiple passing categories simply comes down to predicting who will be the starter for the majority of the year, which remains the talk of camp as there has been little separation between Tramell Jones Jr. and Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech.

The more things stay even, the more it feels like Philo, who received the bulk of reps with the starters in last week's scrimmage, will get the starting nod for Florida due to his edge in experience and his fit in Buster Faulkner’s offense, though both quarterbacks will continue to battle likely beyond the end of camp.

For now, my pick is still for Philo to win the job.

Total Yards, Total TDs: Jadan Baugh

Jadan Baugh is just 96 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards on the season.
Jadan Baugh headlines Florida's offensive weapons in 2026. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Baugh heads into 2026 seemingly destined to be Florida’s offensive focal point after breaking 1,000 rushing yards as a sophomore, while the new system could bring some new deployments of the versatile rusher.

“We've obviously got a really good plan for him. We want to make sure we utilize him in a bunch of different ways, probably more so than he has over the last couple of years,” Faulkner said before fall camp. “... But he'll be a big part of our offense."

Though Faulkner has yet to have a running back break 1,000 rushing yards in his offense over the span of the regular season, and while Florida has never had a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher, Baugh should push such production while seeing an uptick as a receiver. Expect him to reach the end zone more than any other Gators skill player this year, as well.

Receiving Yards/Touchdowns: Eric Singleton Jr.

Eric Singleton Jr. sees a night-and-day difference from when he last played with Aaron Philo in 2024 to now.
Eric Singleton Jr. transferred to Florida after stints at Georgia Tech and Auburn. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

After transferring from Auburn, Singleton Jr. is reunited with Faulkner after leading his offense in yards and touchdowns as a true freshman and sophomore in 2023 and 2024 at Georgia Tech. This offseason, he has arguably looked better than ever.

After questionable usage with the Tigers a year ago, Singleton looks to be the leader of Florida’s attack and continues to make big play after big play in practice, making him my projected leading receiver in the new year.

Sitting at 12 career touchdowns after three collegiate seasons, Singleton’s career-high mark of six scores, which he recorded as a true freshman, is certainly in the realm of possibility in 2026.

Faulkner’s leading wideouts have averaged five receiving touchdowns over his last 12 seasons as an offensive coordinator, though Singleton will be competing with multiple other viable options to reach that mark.

Receptions: Vernell Brown III

Vernell Brown III's 60-yard catch in the third quarter set up a field goal to give Florida a 22-7 lead.
Vernell Brown III led Florida in both receptions and yards in 2025. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

While Singleton Jr. is my pick to lead the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns, Brown III’s potential in Faulkner’s scheme is too exciting to ignore. The Gators' legacy led Florida in catches and yards as a true freshman a year ago, while his skill set should be utilized much more under the new playcaller.

The expectation is that Brown III will see plenty of the quick passing game that Faulkner has been uber successful with in the past, while the second-year wideout has continued to impress this offseason and looks primed for a career year so far this fall.

Though Singleton Jr. may be Florida’s biggest threat vertically, Brown III could very realistically catch more balls in a role more focused on short targets with more yard-after-catch opportunities.

Dark Horse: Dallas Wilson

Dallas Wilson broke multiple UF freshman records in the win over Texas.
Dallas Wilson broke multiple UF freshman records in last year's win over Texas. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

While Wilson seemingly sits at third in the receiving pecking order behind Singleton and Brown III, the redshirt freshman arguably has the highest potential of any player on Florida’s roster. If he can stay healthy, there is a real scenario where he leads the Gators in touchdown catches as a big-body threat.

Tackles: Myles Graham

Myles Graham
Myles Graham led Florida in tackles in 2025. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Graham is the obvious choice to lead the team in tackles after doing so easily in 2025, finishing 20 total tackles ahead of the next Gators defender. The junior has stepped into a larger leadership role this offseason, while another big season could be his last in Gainesville if he heads off to the NFL.

Sacks: Jayden Woods

Jayden Woods
Jayden Woods headlines Florida's pass-rushers in 2026. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Woods was an extremely bright spot as a true freshman in an all-around dark year for Florida last season. Recording 3.5 sacks, the uber-athletic edge rusher looks ready to take another step in 2026 as the Gators' premier pass rusher. If Florida is going to have success getting to the quarterback, it starts with Woods building on the momentum of his rookie season in Gainesville and establishing himself as a true difference-maker off the edge.

Dark Horse: KJ Ford

Florida Gators freshman outside linebacker KJ Ford.
Florida Gators freshman outside linebacker KJ Ford. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Ford has already established himself as the direct backup to Woods early in his time on campus, while the true freshman looks ready to make an immediate impact and could see the field very early after a strong offseason. It would take certain circumstances for the exciting rusher to lead the team in sacks, but his potential off the edge makes him a sneaky candidate.

Interceptions: Ben Hanks III

Ben Hanks III has had an impressive offseason for the Gators.
Ben Hanks III has had an impressive offseason for the Gators. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hanks III has been phenomenal this offseason for Florida, and a breakout for the former top-60 recruit could be imminent. The ballhawk broke the Miami-Dade County single-season interception record as a senior in high school, and he has positioned himself for a starting job this fall after continuing to showcase such ball skills.

Cormani McClain has also stood out for his ability to create turnovers, making him my other strong candidate for the category leader, but Hanks III’s offseason shouldn’t be overlooked and continues to signal a big year ahead.

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Dylan Olive
DYLAN OLIVE

Dylan Olive. Bio: Dylan Olive is a contributing writer at Florida Gators on SI from Key West, FL. He is a recent graduate from the University of Florida. When not writing, he is likely spending time with his wife and dog or watching the New York Yankees or Giants. Twitter: @DylanOlive_UF

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