Tramell Jones Jr. Shines in Gators Football Debut
With no pregame depth chart being released for the Gators this season and star quarterback DJ Lagway coming off an offseason riddled with injuries, a major question entering Saturday’s season opener was who would take on the role of Lagway’s backup this season.
Coach Billy Napier gave a glimpse of who might own that spot in Florida’s 55-0 win against Long Island at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Even with the introduction of graduate transfer Harrison Bailey and the return of redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner, true freshman Tramell Jones Jr. was the only quarterback other than Lagway who saw playing time in the blowout. The young gunslinger impressed after replacing Lagway at halftime.
Jones Jr. threw for a game-high 131 yards and two touchdowns.
“He [Jones Jr.] can really throw it,” Napier said. “He’s really had a strong surge the last few weeks.”
Jones Jr. was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and created a lot of buzz in the offseason with his strong arm and ability to use his legs. He ran five times for 14 yards against the Sharks. That archetype is what separates him from the rest of the competition for QB2. His play style emulates Lagway’s better than Bailey and Warner, allowing the team to run the same offense with Jones Jr. as it does with Lagway. Warner and Bailey play more of a pocket-passer style that would require some changes in play calling.
“I’m so excited for his [Jones Jr.’s] journey,” Lagway said. “He’s going to be a heck of a player here.”
It is worth considering whether to redshirt Jones Jr. to maintain eligibility for the future. Lagway still has two years before he is likely to enter the NFL draft, meaning Jones Jr. would burn two years of eligibility as a backup if he plays in more than four games those seasons.
Still, the value of a second quarterback can never be overstated. Lagway has shown injury concerns in his year at Florida. If the coaching staff thinks Jones Jr. can lead the team best in case of Lagway’s absence, it may be in the best interest of the team to let the freshman play and forgo the redshirt.
It is possible the quarterback order changes, but Jones Jr. seems to be Lagway’s relief for the time being.
“In general he’s impressed us, and he earned that job,” Napier said.
The Gators (1-0) return to action at 4:15 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network, 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF) against visiting South Florida (1-0).
Category: College Football, Feature Sports News, Football, Gators Football, SEC
