Jon Sumrall explains why Aaron Philo won starting job over Tramell Jones Jr.
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The Florida Gators are getting ready to enter Year 1 of the Jon Sumrall era down in Gainesville, and the new head coach made one of his first big decisions on Monday when he announced his starting quarterback for Week 1.
After a lengthy battle in camp, Sumrall gave the starting nod to former Georgia Tech backup Aaron Philo over sophomore Billy Napier holdover Tramell Jones Jr.
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Many fans and analysts expected this outcome, as Philo was in the same offensive system at Tech with current Gators OC Buster Faulkner for the past couple of years, and Sumrall said that familiarity gave Philo a massive edge over Tramell.
“There’s no surprise to that in spring because he’d been in the system, and Tramell had not,” Sumrall said, per the Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson. “Tramel has improved a ton, but we’re able to operate the full offense at a little bit higher level right now with Aaron. So, that’s probably the biggest separator.”
While Philo earned the job out of camp, Sumrall also clarified that this is far from a permanent decision and that Philo will have to earn the right to keep the starting role with his play.
“This is not an anointing,” Sumrall said. “This is not permanent. You’re not a starter forever because you got to keep playing good.”
