With spring practice fast approaching in Gainesville, the Florida Gators quarterback room is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the 2026 season. First-year head coach Jon Sumrall made it clear: there’s no starter yet, and the job is wide open.
That means five quarterbacks - yes, five - will be vying for the top spot when drills begin. The group includes Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo, returning sophomore Tramell Jones Jr., incoming freshman Will Griffin, junior Aidan Warner, and walk-on Aaron Williams.
No depth chart. No frontrunner.
Just a clean slate and a chance to earn it.
“Everybody is going to get what they earn,” Sumrall said. “There is no starting quarterback yet.”
Let’s break down what that really means - and who might have a leg up as competition kicks off.
Aaron Philo: The Familiar Face with a Fresh Start
If there’s one quarterback who enters with a bit of an edge in terms of familiarity, it’s Aaron Philo. The redshirt sophomore transferred in from Georgia Tech, where he played under new Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. That connection matters - and Sumrall didn’t shy away from saying so.
“Buster is very confident in Philo and his readiness to be a high-level player,” Sumrall said. “So that made me more confident because he saw him every day for the last couple years.”
Philo’s numbers at Georgia Tech weren’t eye-popping - 938 passing yards and 2 touchdowns across six games over two seasons - but context matters. He was backing up Haynes King, a mobile, experienced starter. Philo also showed flashes of dual-threat ability, adding 95 rushing yards and a score.
More importantly, Faulkner knows what he’s getting. He recruited Philo out of Prince Avenue Christian School in Georgia, where Philo shattered Trevor Lawrence’s state passing yardage record with 13,922 career yards. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident.
As a true freshman in 2024, Philo even got on the field in two ACC games, helping the Yellow Jackets knock off both Miami and NC State. That’s not just mop-up duty - those are meaningful snaps in pressure situations.
“When you are judging a quarterback, it’s a lot of things you are looking for obviously when you recruit him,” Faulkner said. “If you're good on third downs and you are good in two-minute situations, that’s what you’ve got to be to be able to play at an elite level.”
Tramell Jones Jr.: The Homegrown Talent with Upside
But don’t count out Tramell Jones Jr. The sophomore saw limited action last season behind DJ Lagway, completing 21 of 35 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. While the sample size is small, Jones showed poise and accuracy in his brief appearances.
Sumrall’s decision to keep the competition open is as much about opportunity as it is about belief in the talent on the roster - and Jones is a big part of that.
“I think it also is probably an endorsement of how I feel about Tramell,” Sumrall said. “I think Tramell has got a really high ceiling, too.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Sumrall has seen this play out before.
He referenced his first year at Tulane, where a third-string quarterback - Darian Mensah - didn’t rise to the top of the depth chart until two weeks before the season opener. That experience is clearly shaping how he’s approaching this quarterback race.
“We’re going to compete,” Sumrall emphasized.
The Rest of the Pack
While Philo and Jones might be the early names to watch, the competition doesn’t end there. Freshman Will Griffin enters with plenty of buzz, and Aidan Warner brings experience as a returning junior. Walk-on Aaron Williams rounds out the group, adding depth and another arm to the mix.
This isn’t just about who has the most experience or the biggest arm. It’s about who can run Faulkner’s offense, make the right reads under pressure, and command the huddle. Spring drills will be the first true proving ground.
What’s Next?
Sumrall’s approach - no favorites, no assumptions - sets the tone for a merit-based culture. And with a new coaching staff, new system, and a wide-open quarterback battle, it’s a fresh start for everyone involved.
The Gators don’t just need a quarterback. They need a leader.
Someone who can step into a tough SEC schedule and elevate the offense. Whether that’s Philo, Jones, or someone else entirely, spring ball is going to offer some early answers.
One thing’s for sure: the battle in Gainesville is just heating up.