News: Sumrall and 2026 OL decommit

[Jaxcat]

I read an article that Belichik and UNC may be discussing a quick divorce/buyout. When that job was open after Mack Brown, Sumrall was one of the leading candidates. My guess is he's still near/at the top of UNC's list. If they break with Smiling Bill early, that would allow them to court Sumrall well before UK gets their crap together.

Our lone 2026 OL commit just decommitted. Had 45 offers so he'll find another school that isn't a trainwreck. Since we all believe our NIL coffers are not quite as bountiful as our competitors', the only way out of this mess is strong recruiting. Think we'll find that many recruits don't want to sign up for this program that looks to be circling the drain.

Man, it's hard to see any light at the end of this tunnel.

[WeWant9]

I’d imagine Sumrall’s name will be mentioned for a lot of openings, and will probably be at the top for several schools.

[Matt Dillon]

I still believe UK is Sumrall's dream job. If I'm right, and he thinks the job will be his next season, I don't think he'll jump at the first thing that comes along. But hey, what do I know?

[Jaxcat]

I still believe UK is Sumrall's dream job. If I'm right, and he thinks the job will be his next season, I don't think he'll jump at the first thing that comes along. But hey, what do I know?

You may be right. But, how sad is it that UK football is anyones 'dream' job? It's been more like Nightmare on Cooper Drive for most.

[EKYCat]

I still believe UK is Sumrall's dream job. If I'm right, and he thinks the job will be his next season, I don't think he'll jump at the first thing that comes along. But hey, what do I know?

I don't think Sumrall picks UK over a school like Florida, who will likely be looking for a new coach next year.

[Matt Dillon]

I don't think Sumrall picks UK over a school like Florida, who will likely be looking for a new coach next year.

It's kind of hard to say. I know the Fl. job would be more prestigious but I don't think the Gator fans would be as patience as we would.

[EKYCat]

It's kind of hard to say. I know the Fl. job would be more prestigious but I don't think the Gator fans would be as patience as we would.

Florida will have a commitment from the administration to win from NIL all the way down to facilities. Alumni or not, to me, it's a no-brainer.

[WeWant9]

Florida will have a commitment from the administration to win from NIL all the way down to facilities. Alumni or not, to me, it's a no-brainer.

His agent will be very busy. The pick will come down to heart vs. head.

[KYWILDCAT41035]

I know its apples to oranges but I still feel like the Sumrall thing to the football program is like the Pope thing is to the basketball program. I feel Sumrall would be hungry to kick start or football program it's just a feeling I have...... We have to get rid of Stoops first though.

[CrimsonCats]

Take this with the appropriate grain of salt because I’m definitely not claiming to have any inside sources, but this still feels like the right thread to post this.

My father-in-law loves college football and stays really plugged in to the rumor mill in Alabama. He’s been telling me the last couple of days that Auburn is going to be a big player for Sumrall and may even be willing to fire Freeze mid season in an effort to jump to the front of the line in courting him. If we eventually land him, it doesn’t seem like it will be because he had a lack of options at this point.

[KYWILDCAT41035]

Take this with the appropriate grain of salt because I’m definitely not claiming to have any inside sources, but this still feels like the right thread to post this.

My father-in-law loves college football and stays really plugged in to the rumor mill in Alabama. He’s been telling me the last couple of days that Auburn is going to be a big player for Sumrall and may even be willing to fire Freeze mid season in an effort to jump to the front of the line in courting him. If we eventually land him, it doesn’t seem like it will be because he had a lack of options at this point.

It does seem like everyone is coming hard at Sumrall even last year and it seems like there will be more openings this year and already hearing quite a few SEC schools want him that still currently have head coaches.

[Pobilly]

I see no reason for Sumrall to even look at UK at this point. It might be the place he wants to end up coaching but who would want to try to build this train wreck. Next year we will be luck to beat a MAC team. We will have many leave after this mess of a year. We will not have much coming in. UK being UK will have the luck of the negotiations with Stoops run right up to the portal deadline.

Sumrall would be better to take a ACC job if he truly wants the UK job in the near future, otherwise he will take Florida/Auburn or what ever job is the best option.

[Trueblujr]

I still believe UK is Sumrall's dream job. If I'm right, and he thinks the job will be his next season, I don't think he'll jump at the first thing that comes along. But hey, what do I know?

If UK is where he wants to be, I can see him essentially using those other offers as leverage in negotiations with UK. Either way, we can get him for almost half what we're paying Stoops. He's making almost 3 million at Tulane now. A P4 school hiring him will likely have to be in the 5 million range. Including us.

[Los Gatos]

If UK is where he wants to be, I can see him essentially using those other offers as leverage in negotiations with UK. Either way, we can get him for almost half what we're paying Stoops. He's making almost 3 million at Tulane now. A P4 school hiring him will likely have to be in the 5 million range. Including us.

Sorry to disagree. I'll be very surprised if our competitors don't offer at least 8M.

[TheZookeeper]

I still have hope we get Sumrall but I'm certainly not counting on it. I think if we don't get him we should still go after a head coach at a G5 school. Coordinators don't have the same allure anymore because they aren't likely to bring half their roster with them. If it's a "sure thing" like hiring Kirby Smart off of Saban's staff, or Brent Venables, then okay, sure. But a coach that just won 10 games at a school like USF (including a win @Florida) should be able to basically pick the best guys from their roster with eligibility remaining and bring them to UK. That, plus the best players from the UK roster that the coach can hold on to, and a mix of other recruits and transfers and you should be competitive year one. This is basically what Indiana did, for example.