Starting at quarterback for the Florida Gators football team is one of the most prestigious roles in college sports — a lineage that includes nationally recognizable names like Tebow, Spurrier and Grossman.
In the past, these established starters elevated the program to new heights. Yet, as Florida experiences a historic low, the biggest question facing new head coach Jon Sumrall’s team right now is who will add their name to the list of prominent quarterbacks for the Orange and Blue? As spring flowers begin to bloom, the Gators are hoping their next leader blossoms.
The Florida roster underwent a significant overhaul this offseason, adding roughly 50 new players through high school recruitment and the transfer portal while bidding farewell to a number of key contributors to both the NFL draft and portal movement. Among the most notable departures was quarterback DJ Lagway.
The former five-star recruit’s time in Gainesville was filled with ups and downs as he emerged as Florida’s starter midway through the 2024 season – a year that saw him win every game he started and finished while throwing for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns. 2025 though was a different story, as the campaign was injury-riddled for Lagway who threw the second most interceptions in the nation.
Now the focus becomes finding Lagways replacement. Sumrall made it clear that nothing would be given and the role would be earned on the field. He highlighted that quarterbacks would separate themselves through leadership, ball security and command of the offense.
Enter former four-star in-state product Tramell Jones Jr., a redshirt freshman who has undeniable talent and athleticism. Next cue Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo, whose familiarity with Buster Faulkner’s system gives him instant credibility and an early advantage. The two have emerged as leading candidates to take over the offense.
Sumrall rendered no timeline for naming a starter in spring sessions and stated that it would be entered with a competition mindset. Florida hopes this battle evaluates both Jones Jr. and Philo — a true competition that will likely extend into the early fall.
Both of these quarterbacks are experiencing pressure for the first time in their collegiate careers. Jones Jr. was firmly in the QB2 spot with D.J. Lagway running the show in Gainesville last season, while Philo was in an obvious back-up situation behind Haynes King.
Early indications suggest nothing has been established on the depth chart. Expect the competition to go into early fall camp before a starter is named. In the case of a tie, Faulkner more than likely goes with the familiar voice in Philo. Jones Jr. will need to convincingly outplay Philo to command a starter’s declaration.
Ultimately, Philo’s experience with the system will give him the slight edge in week one, but this could easily shift into a week-by-week situation as Jones Jr. waits in the wings.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: QB battle among key questions for Florida football in spring practice
Reporting by Michael Long, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
