Aaron Philo Named Florida’s Starting Quarterback to Start 2026 Season
As the offseason winds down, the Gators biggest question heading towards Week 1 has been answered.
Florida has named redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Gators coach Jon Sumrall announced the decision at Florida’s final training camp media availability Monday morning.
Philo edged out redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. in a quarterback battle that spanned almost the entirety of Sumrall’s first offseason at the helm of Florida. Sumrall announced to the team Monday that Philo will earn the majority of the first-team reps in practice moving forward as the Gators prepare to host Florida Atlantic in the season opener on Sept. 5.
Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech, followed offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from the Yellow Jackets after he accepted the position at Florida in December. The redshirt sophomore quarterback was the perceived favorite to win the battle between himself and Jones due to the prior familiarity with Faulkner’s offensive identity and ability to command the offense.
Despite the decision, Sumrall said it’s not a permanent placement for the remainder of the season, emphasizing his belief in both quarterbacks and his confidence in Jones.
“As for Tramell, it’s not like you’re being relegated or demoted and forgotten,” he said. “I believe in Tramell Jones. I’m a believer. I will go to battle for that dude.”
Philo spent the previous two seasons in a backup capacity behind Haynes King in Faulkner’s offense, completing 59 of 102 passes for 928 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions through eight appearances and one start at Georgia Tech. The Georgia native also rushed for 95 yards and one touchdown during that span.
“Aaron Philo is going to go with the ones more than anyone. Doesn’t mean Tramell [Jones] won’t get some with the ones. He’s still going to get some, but as we prepare for game one, Aaron Philo, we are preparing for him to be the starter for Week 1,” Sumrall said Monday.
Jones held a similar role behind DJ Lagway for the Gators last season, completing 21 of 35 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns against Long Island and Kentucky in his first year of college football.
Sumrall gave credit to both quarterbacks and how they competed throughout the offseason, but said Philo’s ability to command the offense set him apart from Jones.
“I would say [his ability] to operate at the line of scrimmage at just a touch higher level and be more efficient. There’s no surprise to that in spring because he’s been in the system and Tramell had not,” Sumrall said. “Tramell has improved a ton, but I still think we’re able to operate the full offense at a little bit higher level right now with with Aaron. So that’s probably the biggest separator.”
While the 6-foot-1 Philo has earned the starting role for Week 1, Sumrall did not rule out the possibility of changes later on in the season. In regards to the starting role and how the team will rally around Philo, Sumrall said, “Do we have a good locker room chemistry and culture? I also talked to both those guys about Aaron. Hey, this is not an anointing. Like it’s not something permanent. You’re not just a starter forever. You just have to keep playing good.”
With the anticipation surrounding the quarterback announcement now in the rearview, the Gators head into their Sept. 5 season opener against FAU at The Swamp on solid ground.
“I’m excited about the [quarterback] room. The good news is both of them have elevated their play and I love both of them. Fired up about both of them,” Sumrall said. “I’m fired up about both of them. I just feel like right now, it’s where we need to go with the decision.”
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