Florida’s quarterback picture is still unsettled heading into the biggest week of the season.
No. 17 Florida goes to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday to face No.
3 Georgia, and Jon Sumrall said Monday that both Tramell Jones Jr. and Philo are available. According to Scott Carter of the Gators, Sumrall said he would “probably” know by Wednesday which one gets the start, but he is not planning to announce it before the game.
The choice matters because Florida is staring at a major College Football Playoff test with its 5-2 record. A win over the 6-1 Bulldogs would strengthen the Gators’ résumé.
A loss could effectively shut the door before matchups with Oklahoma and No. 9 Kentucky to open November.
Jones stepped in for Florida’s road win at Texas on Oct. 17 and handled the moment well. The freshman completed 22 of 35 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 41 yards rushing in the 27-24 victory.
Philo missed that game after hurting his shoulder in Florida’s 38-19 loss to South Carolina on Oct. 10. Before the injury, he had taken the starting job out of training camp in part because of his comfort in offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner’s system, since both arrived at Florida in the offseason after time together at Georgia Tech.
Statistically, Philo has been the more productive passer. He has completed 70.5% of his throws for 1,341 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions, while also adding 104 rushing yards and three scores. Jones has completed 70.3% of his passes for 407 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, with 66 yards on the ground.
Jones showed in Austin that he can manage the offense and make enough plays to win. But the matchup in Atlanta is a different kind of challenge, and Florida will need points to have a shot against Kirby Smart’s defense.
The Gators have not beaten Georgia since 2020 and have dropped eight of the last nine meetings. That 2020 win also stands out for another reason: Florida scored 44 points that day, the only time the Gators have topped 20 against Georgia since 2016.
Running back Jadan Baugh should help, but whichever quarterback gets the nod will have to do more than just avoid mistakes. Florida needs complementary football, and it needs the right one under center to have any real chance at breaking through.
In Other News...
Florida Still Has One Massive Question Heading Into Georgia
Florida still has its biggest offensive decision hanging over the buildup to Georgia, with Jon Sumrall declining to name a starting quarterback for the matchup with the No. 3 Bulldogs. Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. are both available, both practiced, and both remain in the mix as the Gators try to settle on the best option for one of the seasons most important games.
Sumrall said he needs both quarterbacks ready and may wait until after he reviews practice film before making the call. However the choice goes, Florida knows it will need steady play at the position and continued production from Jadan Baugh, who remains a key part of the offense heading into the showdown. [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 🡒]