The Florida Gators are in the middle of figuring out who their backup quarterback will be in 2025. While Tramell Jones Jr. is on the outside looking in as a true freshman, the 6’0, 203-pound signal caller is impressing his teammates throughout fall camp.
Redshirt senior All-American center Jake Slaughter praised his mobility and work ethic.
“Oh my gosh. I was hoping somebody would ask. I personally think Tramell is going to be a great football player,” Slaughter said on Jones Jr. “The way he can move around in the pocket, the way he can get loose outside. His scramble drill, and it’s a bomb. Yeah, Tramell, he’s awesome. He works his tail off. He takes things seriously. You see him in a walkthrough, and it’s a game-day rep for him. So I’ve been very impressed.”
Upon his arrival in Gainsville, Jones Jr. was not 100% throughout spring camp after suffering a broken ankle in his senior season with Mandarin High School. After an impressive summer, Jones Jr. looks more comfortable on the football field and is gaining the respect of his teammates in the process.
“I think guys respect Tramell because of the way he works and prepares,” Slaughter said. “When you see a guy, the way he approaches everything he does, it’s hard not to view him as a leader. I don’t want to let that guy down because look at how hard he’s working. I feel like we have a lot of that in general. But I’ve been super impressed with Tramell.”
There’s no shortage of arm strength with Jones Jr. The Jacksonville, Florida native has more zip on his passes compared to spring camp and can make accurate throws from sideline to sideline. Jones Jr. is also a better runner than he was originally given credit for out of high school, displaying the willingness to escape from the pocket and make throws on the run.
“Tramell, he’s been great, he’s been great,’ senior receiver J.Michael Sturdivant said on Jones Jr. “He threw me a dot early in camp, and I’ve been impressed with the way that he goes about his business. He’s very professional, which is extremely impressive because of how young he is. You know, he just got here out of high school. So he’s been great and I’m excited to see him grow.”
As of right now, Gator Country expects the quarterback depth chart to look as follows: Lagway, Warner, Bailey, Jones Jr.
While I fully expect Jones Jr. to redshirt this upcoming season, he can still play in up to four games. It will be interesting to track the progress of Jones Jr. as someone who could eventually seize the starting quarterback job in Gainesville.