Florida Quarterback Race Remains Unsettled in Camp
Florida’s starting quarterback job is still up for grabs midway through spring practice, and coach Jon Sumrall said Tuesday that no one in the Gators’ crowded QB room has separated from the pack.
Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. entered camp as the projected frontrunners, but true freshman Will Griffin has also impressed early as Florida searches for its next leader.
While players completed a spring break program to try to stay in stride last week, Sumrall said there was a noticeable step down this week from where they were ahead of the break.
“Sometimes you come out of a bye week, and you’re trying to get the car restarted when it’s been off for a few days. It felt like that a little bit today,” Sumrall said. “Some of our guys probably had a bit too much fun on spring break based on how some of the way practice looked.”
The QB room worked on all levels of the pass game during the media viewing periods at practice.
While most project the starting job will go to either Philo or Jones, Griffin, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback, arrives in Gainesville after an impressive high school career, earning 2025 (Florida) Gatorade Player of the Year honors. He completed 160 of 246 passes (65.0%) for 2,534 yards with 37 touchdowns and just two interceptions during his final season.
“Everybody wants to focus on Philo and Tramell, and that’s fair, but Will Griffin did some good things today,” Sumrall said. “When he figures out how to operate at the line of scrimmage, he’s got some real ability and arm talent that’s there.”
Sumrall acknowledged that they do not have a set starting QB at the moment, and that whoever starts week one for the Gators may not start week two if they do not perform.
In 2025, Florida threw 14 interceptions and allowed 20 sacks, highlighting the need for better protection along the offensive line and a reliable leader under center. Sumrall has emphasized that his starting quarterback must be more than just talented. Instead, he wants a leader and a strong communicator who can command the offense.
Jones spent most of his freshman year backing up DJ Lagway, who left for Baylor via the portal this offseason. He played in two games last season, throwing for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 21 completions.
“The way that guy worked in and out of the gym, learning from what (Lagway) did (well) and his mistakes,” said Jones, who said he stays in touch with his former teammate. “That’s what I came here to do. I came here to learn from DJ and make him better and push myself.”
He also reflected on his relationship with his receiving core, which he has known since before he committed to Florida. He specifically mentioned the explosiveness and hunger of Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
“They make our life way easier, to be honest. You’re pretty much playing point guard and being a facilitator,” said Jones, who wants to work on getting healthy and his speed this offseason. “Just get those guys the ball in space, and they’ll do the rest for you.”
Jones and Philo said that quarterbacks coach Joe Craddock emphasized consistency and taking care of the ball. The two quarterbacks hit it off when they first met, sharing similarities on and off the field. The competition is fueling them to make each other better, and the entire QB room is sharing everything they see and trying to help each other out.
“I’ve just been trying to give him (Jones) those little tips that maybe you wouldn’t see if you were just looking through it the first time,” Philo said. “I’m also finding stuff that he does well.”
Philo’s familiarity with the offensive scheme helped him a lot, he said. One of the other things that helped him get comfortable was his familiarity with transfers Eric Singleton Jr. and his roommate, Bailey Stockton.
“Eric’s a great player. He’s extremely explosive and fast, and he’s smart and understands everything,” Philo said. “It was pretty much picking up where we left off.
“Bailey’s a really smart player. He understands the offense and where to go, and he’s explosive with the ball in his hands as well. We go back all the way to high school, and it’s been awesome seeing him grow as a person and a football player.”
Philo played at Georgia Tech with both Singleton Jr. (2024) and Stockton (2024-25) under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Philo looks to command the helm after backing up Haynes King for two seasons in Atlanta.
Both quarterbacks have been taking roughly the same amount of reps with the first and second teams, but neither has been crowned the spring game or week 1 starter.
Practice Notes:
Wideout Dallas Wilson was out of the walking boot he wore for all of spring camp up until Tuesday.
Defensive lineman Joseph MBatchou was also a full participant after being in a walking boot with a left calf strain.
The Gators are less than three weeks out from the Orange and Blue game on April 11, when Florida fans will get a taste of what the football future looks like in 2026.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Football
