Aaron Philo won Florida’s quarterback competition, but his teammates made it clear they would have been comfortable with either option.
Both Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. made significant strides during the offseason, creating a competition that remained positive throughout. For Florida running back Jadan Baugh, the two quarterbacks proved they were capable of leading the Gators into the 2026 season.
“I was good with either one of them, honestly,” Baugh said. “Because again, I feel like both of them can get the job done.”
Ultimately, Philo’s leadership helped separate him.
Baugh pointed to Philo’s vocal presence as one of the biggest attributes he brought to Florida after transferring from Georgia Tech.
“Leadership. That’s the main thing when it comes to him is the leadership,” Baugh said. “He’s very, very vocal. And he demands a lot out of all of us.”
Rather than allowing the competition to create division, Baugh said Philo and Jones Jr. used it to push one another.
“Aaron came in with a mindset of just competing. Him and Tramell compete each and every day,” Baugh said. “It’s all been positive for both of them because they have helped each other and learned from each other.”
Baugh believes Philo’s presence could be particularly valuable for a Florida team that lacked leadership last season.
“Aaron, I think he’s one of the best leaders I’ve been around,” Baugh said. “Philo came in and improved a lot with just being a leader and just being very, very vocal. I think we kind of needed that a lot last year. Just somebody who was very, very vocal. And having him on the team and on the field is going to be great.”
Wide receiver Vernell Brown III shared a similar assessment of Philo, praising his ability to command the offense and serve as a resource for his teammates.
“The thing I like about Philo the most is just his leadership and how he commands the offense,” Brown III said. “You can go to him about anything and ask him any question. He knows it. He puts the ball where it needs to be when it needs to be there.”
Still, Brown III emphasized that his confidence in Florida’s quarterback room was not dependent on who ultimately won the job.
“Obviously, there are two really good players at quarterback and I have full confidence in whoever the starter was going to be,” Brown III said. “Whoever it is — let’s do it.”