The Florida Gators are heading into 2026 with a big question mark at the most important position on the field - quarterback. After losing DJ Lagway to the transfer portal, Florida had to pivot quickly, and while they didn’t land one of the premier names available, they did bring in a familiar face for their new offensive coordinator: former Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo.
Philo’s arrival in Gainesville makes sense on paper. He reunites with his former OC, now calling plays under new head coach Jon Sumrall.
That connection could give him a leg up in the competition, especially early in camp. But let’s be clear - this is far from a done deal.
Philo is expected by many to win the starting job, but there's growing buzz that redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. could push him hard for the role. And that’s not just idle speculation. Jones stuck around through the offseason, and there’s reason to believe it wasn’t just out of loyalty - it was because he was told he’d have a real shot at the job.
Let’s talk about Philo for a moment. He’s a former three-star recruit who never locked down a full-time starting role during his two seasons at Georgia Tech.
In limited action, he completed 59 of 102 passes for 938 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, and they certainly don’t scream “guaranteed starter” in the SEC.
Jones, for his part, didn’t see much of the field last year, but when he did, he made the most of it. He went 21-for-35 for 191 yards and two touchdowns across two appearances. It’s a small sample size, sure, but it’s enough to show he’s got poise and potential - and in a quarterback room that’s wide open, that might be all he needs to make a serious run at the job.
This battle is going to come down to more than just raw stats or recruiting stars. It’s about who can best execute Faulkner’s offense, who can take care of the football, and who can rally a team that’s desperate for some consistency under center.
Let’s not forget - Florida is coming off a 4-8 season, their fourth losing campaign in the last five years. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a program with the Gators’ pedigree. Stability at quarterback isn’t just a luxury at this point - it’s a necessity.
Whether it’s Philo, Jones, or someone else entirely, Florida needs a leader who can bring some calm to the chaos. Lagway, for all his potential, never quite found his footing in Gainesville. Now the Gators are hoping a new era - with Sumrall at the helm and Faulkner designing the offense - can help them turn the page.
Philo may be the early favorite, especially given his familiarity with the system, but this job is far from locked up. Jones is lurking, and he’s not just there to take reps in practice.
He’s competing to start. And that competition might just be the best thing for a Florida team trying to claw its way back to relevance.
The quarterback battle in Gainesville is officially on. And for the first time in a while, it feels like the Gators might actually have options.