Jon Sumrall had every opportunity to settle the biggest Florida question of the week, and he chose not to take it.
With No. 3 Georgia up next, the Gators coach declined Monday to name a starting quarterback, leaving Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. in the mix. Sumrall said both quarterbacks practiced and are available this week, but stopped short of saying which one would lead Florida in Atlanta.
"They both practiced today. Both of them are available, I think, this week," Sumrall said on Monday.
"I'm not going to name a starter today. We need both of those guys to be ready to play."
He also noted that Philo was available only in an emergency role against Texas, while Jones handled the full workload in Florida’s road upset of the Longhorns. Jones threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns in that game.
For a coach known for being blunt and direct, this was a rare bit of withholding. Maybe it’s as simple as wanting to see both quarterbacks go through a full week of practice before making the call.
Maybe Florida still has real questions about Philo’s shoulder. Either way, Sumrall is leaving the decision open for now, and that means the next 24 to 48 hours will tell the real story.
It also puts more emphasis on the part of Florida’s offense that has to hold steady no matter who starts at quarterback: the run game.
Jadan Baugh remains the centerpiece there. His numbers against Texas - 25 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown - weren’t flashy, but they mattered. Against a defense that was keying on him, Baugh still kept churning out tough yards.
That’s the standard Florida needs again against Georgia. If Baugh can keep the offense on schedule, even if the explosive numbers aren’t there, the Gators can give themselves a shot. The idea is simple: 25 to 30 carries, close to 100 yards, and a chance to still be standing when the fourth quarter arrives.
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Floridas Biggest Georgia Question Still Has Playoff Stakes
With Floridas trip to Georgia looming, Jon Sumrall still has a significant decision to make at quarterback. Freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and returning starter Philo are both available for the matchup, and Sumrall said he expects to have a starter in place by Wednesday, though he has not made anything official yet.
It is the kind of choice that reaches beyond one game, especially with playoff implications hanging over the stretch run. Both quarterbacks have posted similar completion percentages and each has been part of the offense this season, which makes the decision less about finding a clear emergency option and more about settling on the one that best fits the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Is Hiding The One Decision Georgia Fans Care About
With Georgia week looming, the quarterback question is still the biggest storyline around Florida as the Gators get ready for one of the most watched games on their schedule. Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. are both available, and Jon Sumrall has kept the competition open after Jones stepped in to lead Florida back to a comeback win while Philo sat out with an injury.
Sumrall said he expects to settle on a starter by midweek, but he does not plan to stage a formal announcement, which only adds to the interest on the other side of this rivalry. Georgia fans will be watching closely to see whether Florida goes with the quarterback who returned from injury or sticks with the one who just steadied the offense when the Gators needed it most. [Read more 🡒]
Floridas Georgia Upset Hopes May Come Down To One Unsettled Spot
Florida has given itself a real chance to make Saturday feel bigger than a typical rivalry game, largely because the Gators have found some traction on the ground and have started to look more competitive than they did earlier in the season. Georgia is not the same invincible force it has been in recent years, but the Bulldogs still carry the weight of a long stretch of success in this series, which is part of what makes this matchup feel like such a difficult test for Florida.
The problem, as always, is that the Gators still have a few self-inflicted issues hanging over them, and one of the biggest questions remains the most important one on the field. If Florida is going to turn its improved running game into something meaningful against Georgia, it may need clearer answers under center, because the uncertainty at quarterback leaves a lot of the game plan unresolved heading into one of the season's most demanding spots. [Read more 🡒]