Florida football held its third fall practice of fall camp on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Sanders Practice Fields.
The Florida Gators will hold practices the next four weeks in preparation for their season opener on Sept. 5 at The Swamp against Florida Atlantic (7:45 p.m., SEC Network).
First-year coach Jon Sumrall is continuing to conduct practices in the morning as UF will work out four days in a row to start camp.
“The guys that were here previously, then went through the spring, and got the format of the morning practice schedule, seemed to really enjoy it,” Sumrall said. “And it felt like, you know, we got the best of their day in regard to waking up, being fresh and ready to go. And so we’re going to continue that. And also, I think late in the week it helps you in-season maybe be fast and fresh on Saturday, which is kind of important.”
Florida ratcheted up contact a bit with blocking and tackling drills but isn’t in full pads yet.
Here are three takeways from the open portion of practice:
Florida football QB battle ongoing
Florida football quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. throw short, intermediate and long routes as they continued to battle for the starting quarterback job.
Philo’s best throw came on a wheel route to running back Jadan Baugh in which he hit Baugh in stride. Jones connected with tight end Amir Jackson on a nice deep throw down the sideline.
Sumrall said there is “no timeline” on making the quarterback decision. Philo, a redshirt sophomore, is a transfer from Georgia Tech who played under new Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Jones, a redshirt freshman, backed up DJ Lagway last year.
Florida football WR Dallas Wilson, DE Kam James work out on side
Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson, who said earlier in the week he was 100 percent after dealing with lingering foot issues, didn’t take part in live passing drills. Wilson worked out on the side on the JUGS machine, catching passes.
Also working out with trainers at the indoor training facility is senior defensive end Kam James, who tied for UF’s lead in sacks with 3.5 last season.
Freshman safety Kaiden Hall and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jahari Medlock also worked out at the indoor facility with trainers.
Fletcher Westphal working out with Florida football OL
Redshirt sophomore Fletcher Westphal (6-8, 309 pounds) worked out with Florida football offensive lineman during drills.
Westphal is battling with Emeka Ugorji and Eagen Boyer for the starting job at left tackle.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Quarterbacks throwing and other takeaways from Florida football fall practice
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
