After the conclusion of spring camp, it appeared Florida’s backup quarterback battle was between Aidan Warner and Harrison Bailey. This made the most sense as the only other quarterback to even participate in the Orange and Blue game was true freshman Tramell Jones Jr., who only attempted three passes in the contest.
Jones Jr. was not 100% throughout spring camp after suffering a broken ankle early in his senior season at Mandarin High School. A freshman quarterback with limited practice time didn’t seem like a viable option for a significant role in year one.
A few weeks into fall camp, Napier’s tone started to change when asked about the backup quarterback competition. Jones Jr.’s was all of a sudden being tossed into the mix as he began taking first and second team reps with the Gators’ offense.
Florida led 38-0 at halftime vs. Long Island University, but Gator fans stayed glued to the game to see who would start the second half at quarterback. It was freshman Tramell Jones Jr., who played the final 30 minutes and completed 12-18 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
After not naming a backup quarterback throughout all of fall camp, Napier committed to Jones Jr. after an impressive Gators debut.
“Tramell has earned the job,” Napier said postgame. “He’s really had a strong surge the last few weeks. I think we’ve seen him as he got healthy and we started to give him more reps with the first and second unit. We saw him, he just kept getting better and he’s a pure passer, man. He can really throw it. He’s got velocity on the ball. The spin rate is impressive and then he’s a very accurate quarterback.”
Jones Jr. looked to be in full control on game day, which is a tough task for any freshman quarterback. The Jacksonville native was accurate with the football and even made multiple correct reads on run – pass option plays. Jones Jr. also understands when to use and legs and escape the pocket.
“I think it’s been impressive to watch him. I think he’s intelligent. I think he’s got some presence, some maturity. It’s not too big for him. He’s very coachable,” Napier said on Jones Jr. “I thought was impressive in his ability to make good decisions on a game day, with new structure.”
Sophomore running back Jadan Baugh was confident in Jones Jr. immediately after his arrival in Gainesville.
“Tramell first stepped on campus, you could see it in his eyes, he’s a pro,” Baugh said. “He carries himself as a pro, he carries himself as an older guy, honestly. And I saw a lot of flashes and I was like, ‘OK, Tramell’s going to be very, very good.’ He’s just gotta take his time. He’s behind a guy who’s doing well in his career. So I feel like Tramell’s going to be a very good player.”
Teammates noticed Jones Jr.’s growth from spring to fall camp.
“Day one of camp and him coming out on Saturday night game, it’s just night and day,” wide receiver Eugene Wilson III said on Jones Jr.
Senior wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant was impressed with the poise Jones Jr. showed in his Gators’ debut.
“He’s very calm. Especially for a freshman quarterback it’s very easy to get riled up and get caught up in the moment, get caught up in all the new stuff being thrown at you each and every week but he’s very level-headed, very calm, you would think he’s a lot older than he really is.”
Jones Jr. provides Florida with much more upside offensively shall Florida need to go to their backup quarterback at any point in the 2025 season. This will also be good for Jones Jr.’s development as he’ll be getting constant practice reps throughout the season.