The Florida Gators have a shaky situation at quarterback right now, but there may be reason for optimism.
The Florida Gators thought they hit the jackpot when they landed five-star quarterback DJ Lagway a few years ago, but when he actually took the field, things did not go according to plan.
Across two seasons at Florida, Lagway totaled 28 passing touchdowns and 23 interceptions, and while he was initially lauded for his dual-threat capabilities, he amassed a mere 237 rushing yards between 2024 and 2025.
Lagway then entered the transfer portal, ultimately joining the Baylor Bears.
The Gators responded by bagging former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Aaron Philo in the portal, but their quarterback situation is not exactly enviable.
Philo will be battling with Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting job in Gainesville heading into next season, so it doesn't look like there is a real standout at the position.
But is it possible we may be overlooking something?
ESPN recently examined the quarterback rooms for each team in a Power 4 conference heading into 2026, and for Florida, Philo's name stuck out for one reason: the addition of ex-Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
Aaron Philo. Credit: Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images."While at Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Philo completed 59 of 102 passes for 938 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, and added 95 rushing yards and a score," ESPN wrote. "Philo must show he can handle more volume at a program that yearns to recapture elite quarterback play. But his connection with Faulkner is significant here."
Perhaps Faulkner is the secret to unlocking Philo and turning him into a legitimate stud under center?
The former three-star prospect doesn't really do anything that wows you. He doesn't have elite size, his arm strength is only decent and he does not possess the top-end athleticism of dual-threat signal-callers throughout the country.
But clearly, new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall — who knows a thing or two about identifying talent — sees something in Philo, and it's no coincidence that Sumrall paired Philo with Faulkner going into next season.
Obviously, Philo has a lot to prove, but the fact that the Gators did not aggressively pursue any of the other top quarterbacks in the transfer portal is evidence that they really believe in the Bogart, Ga. native.
We'll see if Philo can help Florida return to prominence next fall.
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