Aaron Philo named Florida Gators starting QB over Tramell Jones Jr.: Here’s what you need to know

Football

0

Image Credit: Hannah White, UAA

While head coach Jon Sumrall has made numerous major decisions since taking over the Florida Gators this offseason, perhaps none has been more significant than the one announced Monday. Redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo has been named Florida’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season just months after joining the program as a transfer from Georgia Tech.

Philo spent the last two seasons as a backup for the Yellow Jackets under new Gators offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.

Though his numbers were not overly impressive — 58% completions for 938 yards with two touchdowns, three interceptions, 95 yards rushing and a rushing score in six total appearances — only once in his career has he been singularly prepared to start a game. That came in a 59-12 win over Gardner-Webb last season in which Philo completed 21 of 28 passes for 373 yards with a TD and INT.

Philo won the job over redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr., who impressed during brief apperances in two games last season when he threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns while completing 21 of 35 passes.

Philo, a former three-star prospect in the Class of 2024, broke Trevor Lawrence’s high school passing record in Georgia.

With DJ Lagway entering the transfer portal this offseason, Florida will once again enter a campaign with a new starting signal caller. Since Tim Tebow led the Gators across three straight seasons (2007-09), the Gators have only had one other quarterback start and finish consecutive campaigns (Kyle Trask, 2019-20).