Elite Quarterbacks Battle It Out in Spring Practice as Top Picks Face Off!
Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo and last year's backup Tramell Jones Jr. are locked in a pivotal battle for the reins of Florida's offense.
Starting at quarterback for the Florida Gators football team is one of the most prestigious roles in college sports — a lineage that includes nationally recognizable names like Tebow, Spurrier and Grossman. In the past, these established starters elevated the program to new heights. Yet, as Florida experiences a historic low, the biggest question facing new head coach Jon Sumrall's team right now is who will add their name to the list of prominent quarterbacks for the Orange and Blue?
As spring flowers begin to bloom, the Gators are hoping their next leader blossoms. The Florida roster underwent a significant overhaul this offseason, adding roughly 50 new players through high school recruitment and the transfer portal while bidding farewell to a number of key contributors to both the NFL draft and portal movement. Among the most notable departures was quarterback DJ Lagway.
The former five-star recruit's time in Gainesville was filled with ups and downs as he emerged as Florida's starter midway through the 2024 season - a year that saw him win every game he started and finished while throwing for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns. 2025 though was a different story, as the campaign was injury-riddled for Lagway who threw the second most interceptions in the nation. Now the focus becomes finding Lagways replacement.
Sumrall made it clear that nothing would be given and the role would be earned on the field. He highlighted that quarterbacks would separate themselves through leadership, ball security and command the offense. Enter former four-star in-state product Tramell Jones Jr.