When Jon Sumrall took the reins as Florida’s head coach in late November, he inherited more than just a storied program with a passionate fan base - he stepped into a rebuild. The Gators are coming off a 4-8 season, their fourth losing campaign in the last five years, and the quarterback room took a hit when DJ Lagway entered the transfer portal. That left Florida scrambling to stabilize the most important position on the field.
Enter Aaron Philo, the former Georgia Tech quarterback who’s now in Gainesville with a chance to win the starting job. But make no mistake - Sumrall isn’t handing out anything. He’s made it clear that there’s no depth chart carved in stone this early in the process.
“Everybody is going to get what they earn,” Sumrall said. “There is no starting quarterback yet.”
That message might sound familiar to anyone who’s followed Sumrall’s coaching stops. He’s not one to rush into decisions, especially at quarterback. And while Philo may be the early front-runner, the competition is on.
Philo brings some familiarity with him - and not just from Sumrall, who’s been tracking him since his high school days. Florida also brought in Buster Faulkner, Philo’s offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech.
That continuity could give Philo a leg up in learning the system and executing at a high level. But again, nothing is promised.
Tramell Jones Jr. is right there in the mix, and Sumrall’s comments suggest he’s not just a placeholder in the race.
“I think it also is probably an endorsement of how I feel about Tramell,” Sumrall added. “I think Tramell has got a really high ceiling, too.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Sumrall has a track record of keeping an open mind when it comes to quarterback battles.
He pointed to his first year at Tulane, when Darian Mensah was buried on the depth chart as the No. 3 quarterback just two weeks before the season opener. By Week 1, Mensah was the starter - and he delivered.
So, could Jones follow a similar trajectory? It’s not out of the question.
Philo’s resume from Georgia Tech doesn’t scream “sure thing.” In two seasons, he appeared in eight games, throwing for 938 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. The physical tools are there, and the system fit with Faulkner is obvious, but he hasn’t yet shown he can be the guy over the course of a full season.
That’s why this spring will be so critical. It’s not just about who knows the playbook or who has the better arm - it’s about leadership, consistency, and command of the huddle. Sumrall is looking for someone who can take control of the offense and lead a turnaround in Gainesville.
Right now, Philo may have the inside track. He’s got the system familiarity, a head coach who’s been watching him for years, and a real opportunity in front of him.
But if someone else is under center when the Gators kick off the 2026 season, don’t be shocked. Sumrall’s message is clear: the job is wide open, and it’s going to be earned on the field.