Head coach Jon Sumrall named redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo Florida’s starting quarterback for Week 1 during Monday’s press conference. The announcement came two days after Florida held its second and final scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.
“As we prepare for game one, Aaron Philo, we are preparing for him to be the starter for Week 1,” Sumrall said.
Florida is transitioning into a mock game week, which means the Gators will begin paring down the number of players receiving reps as they prepare for the 2026 season.
“Philo will get the lion’s share of the reps with the ones as we kind of start to try to create cohesion within our football team to get ready for game one,” Sumrall said.
While the Gators are moving forward with Philo as QB1, Tramell Jones Jr. will still receive some first-team reps, according to Sumrall.
“Aaron Philo is gonna go with the ones more than anyone. Doesn’t mean Tramell [Jones Jr.] won’t get some with the ones. He’s still going to get some,” Sumrall said. “The good news is I’ve seen Tramell Jones improve so much from April the 11th to right now that it made a — it’s been a real battle. Like it’s not been some, you know, empty competition. It has been real, and that’s where we are.”
Sumrall met with both quarterbacks Sunday to inform them of the direction of the competition.
“There will not be some crazy, big hoopla around in our building,” Sumrall said. “It’s just how we’re moving forward. I’ve met with both guys, met with them both yesterday afternoon at about 4:45. Both are awesome. Both fully understand and see where we are in the competition. And, you know, I’m excited about the room. The good news is is both of them have elevated their play. Love both of them, fired up about both of them, and grateful for both of their approaches as we’ve gone through this.”
Sumrall pointed to Philo’s ability to operate the offense at the line of scrimmage and his overall efficiency as the biggest factors separating him from Jones Jr.
“I would say operate at the line of scrimmage at just a touch higher level and be more efficient,” 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 Aaron, with the whole package. And so, that’s probably the biggest separator.”
While the two quarterbacks have similar skill sets, Philo’s ability to make adjustments before the snap has given him an advantage in the competition.
“What’s unique is both of em’s play style resembles each other more than it differentiates each other. They’re kind of similar players. Arm talent-wise, running ability,” Sumrall said. “So I would say it’s probably the biggest differentiating factor has just been being able to maybe get us into the right call, out of the wrong call, check things, alert things, kill things off of defensive pictures, and then maybe see the middle of the field a little bit more in the throw game. But both guys have done a lot of great things, but that’s probably been the biggest difference. It’s just operational.”
Florida will kick off the 2026 season against FAU on Sept. 5 at 7:45 p.m. inside The Swamp.