Tramell Jones Jr. didn’t win Florida’s starting quarterback battle during the offseason. But with Aaron Philo sidelined by a shoulder injury, the sophomore got his first career start Saturday, helping the Gators secure a 27-24 road win over No. 7 Texas.
Philo suffered the injury in Week 6 against South Carolina, leaving his availability in question throughout the week. Jones Jr. didn’t find out he would start until Friday morning, shortly before the team departed for Austin.
“Friday morning, Coach Sumrall gave me the green light,” Jones Jr. said. “I was preparing like I was a starter every week, so this week was no different for me.”
It was a slow start for Jones Jr. against the Longhorns, which was somewhat expected given that it was his first significant playing time against one of the nation’s top defenses, and on the road, no less.
Things began to turn around for Jones Jr. and the rest of Florida’s offense just before halftime. With 57 seconds remaining in the first half and the Gators trailing 17-3, Jon Sumrall made a gutsy decision to go for it on fourth-and-12 from the Texas 36-yard line.
Jones Jr. then delivered one of the biggest plays of his young career, connecting with Dallas Wilson on a 17-yard strike along the sideline to convert the fourth down.
Three plays later, Florida found the end zone to cut the deficit to 17-10 heading into halftime.
“It gave the team a spark, and that’s what we needed. Started off slow, didn’t play nowhere near perfect. But the team was behind me. The offensive line played great. Jadan played great, and we finished the football game,” Jones Jr. said postgame.
Jones Jr. went on to lead two more touchdown drives in the second half, using his legs to extend plays and pick up key yards on the ground. He finished with 155 passing yards and two touchdowns while recording four rushes of at least nine yards.
The Jacksonville, Florida, native credited his teammates and coaches for keeping his confidence up and ensuring he was ready when his opportunity came.
“Just staying resilient, staying ready,” Jones Jr said. “Everyone around me always [talked] about how they had confidence in me and [to] stay ready, no matter when my number was called. And that’s what I did.”
Perhaps the most impressive part of Jones Jr.’s performance was that he didn’t look rattled, despite a slow start. He stuck with it, communicated well and took care of the football. The moment wasn’t too big for him.
“I’ve been playing football all my life. I just took it in as another football game, coming in here and playing the game I’ve been playing all my life,” Jones Jr. said. “I feel like I was comfortable. We just started off slow, and I just had to stay the course.”
The victory marked Florida’s largest comeback against an SEC opponent since Nov. 7, 2020, against Georgia (14 points) and its largest comeback in any game since Nov. 13, 2021, against Samford (14 points). It also marked the program’s largest comeback victory against a ranked SEC opponent in a true road game.
Florida now enters its bye week with a chance to get healthier ahead of its matchup with Georgia. The win over Texas also gives the Gators some momentum to carry into the rivalry game.
“I think going into the bye week with a little bit of momentum, going into Georgia not this weekend, but next weekend,” Jones Jr. said. “I think that’s just great for the team, and the team’s just going to keep building on this. I appreciate all my guys and all my brothers standing up.”