Jon Sumrall isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on Florida’s football program. As he heads into his first spring as head coach, he’s made one thing clear: every position is up for grabs - including quarterback. And in today’s college football landscape, where QB battles at top-tier programs are increasingly rare, that’s a bold, refreshing approach.
At the center of this competition are two young signal-callers with very different paths to Gainesville but plenty of upside. Redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. returns after seeing limited action behind DJ Lagway last season.
While his sample size was small, he flashed enough to stay on the radar. Meanwhile, Florida added Aaron Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech who spent last season backing up Haynes King.
Philo might not be a household name just yet, but he’s got tools - and more importantly, he’s got familiarity.
That’s because Philo reunites with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who worked with him in Atlanta. That connection can’t be overlooked. In a new system, having a quarterback who already speaks the coordinator’s language gives you a head start - and Sumrall knows it.
“The place he was at, they didn’t want him to leave,” Sumrall said of Philo. “Tramell, I’m excited about. I like our QB room.”
That’s more than just coach-speak. There’s genuine belief in both quarterbacks.
Philo was in line to start for Georgia Tech in 2026 before opting to follow Faulkner to Florida. That move says a lot about the trust between player and coach - and it gives the Gators a leg up in transitioning to Faulkner’s offense.
Sumrall, for his part, is putting his trust in the man calling plays.
“[Faulkner] had extreme confidence in him,” Sumrall told GatorCountry.com. “The place he was at didn’t want him to leave.
There’s a lot of people there that felt like he was ready to be the starter there, and I trust our offensive coordinator to make the call. I watched him in high school as well.
He carries himself the right way.”
But don’t count out Jones. While Faulkner may not have had much hands-on time with him yet, that’s what spring is for.
Jones has a clean slate - and a chance to prove he belongs in the mix. He’s a talented young quarterback who’s already been in the program, and his development over the offseason will be under a microscope.
This spring won’t just be about who takes the first snap in April. It’s about setting a tone for the entire program.
Sumrall is sending a message: nothing is handed out, and every rep counts. That kind of culture breeds competition, accountability, and, ultimately, growth.
In an era where many top programs hand the reins to a transfer portal prize or lock in a five-star before spring even begins, Florida is zigging where others zag. And that could pay off in a big way. With Philo and Jones both hungry, both talented, and both battling for the top job, the Gators’ quarterback room is going to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.
Sumrall isn’t just rebuilding a roster - he’s building a mentality. And it starts under center.