Florida’s coaching carousel has officially come to a stop - and it’s Jon Sumrall stepping off to take the reins in Gainesville. After building a strong reputation at Tulane, Sumrall now faces his next big challenge: restoring the Gators to SEC relevance. But before he can even think about game plans or spring practice, there’s one glaring vacancy that needs filling - quarterback.
With DJ Lagway exiting after two seasons as the starter, Florida suddenly finds itself without a clear leader under center. And in today’s college football landscape, that means one thing: it’s portal season.
The transfer portal is brimming with possibilities, but one name is already gaining traction - Aaron Philo.
Philo, currently at Georgia Tech, has been backing up Haynes King, who’s been the clear No. 1 option in Atlanta. But with former Tulane offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner now joining Sumrall in Gainesville, there’s growing buzz that Philo could follow his OC to Florida. The connection makes sense - Faulkner knows what Philo brings to the table, and that familiarity could go a long way in a system that demands quick decision-making and trust in the scheme.
Now, let’s be clear: Philo isn’t a proven starter. He’s appeared in eight games over two seasons, completing just under 58% of his passes for 938 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
He’s also shown flashes of mobility, rushing 16 times for 95 yards and a score - a solid 5.9 yards per carry. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they hint at potential, especially in an offense tailored to his strengths.
Still, if Florida does go all-in on Philo, it would be a bold move. Betting on a backup with limited reps to take over one of the most high-pressure jobs in college football isn’t exactly the safe route.
But sometimes, fit matters more than flash. If Faulkner believes Philo can run his system - and if Sumrall trusts his new OC’s evaluation - this could be a calculated risk with a high ceiling.
The Gators are at a turning point. With a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and potentially a new quarterback, 2026 could mark the start of a very different era in Gainesville. Whether Aaron Philo is the guy to lead that charge remains to be seen, but the pieces are starting to align - and the portal is just getting warmed up.