New coach Jon Sumrall demands quarterback Aaron Philo balance aggressive playmaking with crucial ball protection to elevate Florida's offense.
New Florida head coach Jon Sumrall might have multiple position groups to worry about this spring, but much off the attention in the national media is being put on the quarterback battle between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. this spring.
During his news conference on Saturday, Sumrall told reporters that he thinks one quarterback has stood out during spring practice, though he wouldn't name whether Philo or Jones had the upper hand going into training camp this summer.
Philo transferred from Georgia Tech this offseason, rejoining new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner.
Philo had a couple of picks during practice, and Sumrall had a tough lesson to teach the young quarterback. He wants Philo to protect the football, but also wants him to take shots when UF needs it.
"We want him to be a little bit, not dangerous with the football, we have to protect the football, but we want him to take some shots," Sumrall said, via Gator Country. "You can’t turn over the football and expect to win.
"But at the same time, you can’t play passively. He’s protected the football pretty well this spring. Today, not maybe what the norm has been. He’s operated at a really high level – all the guys have. He’ll be fine.”
Much of the questions Sumrall fielded on Saturday had to do with the quarterback position. Sumrall understands the emphasis on the quarterback battle, but the new head coach is concerned about his offensive line this spring.
“Now look, I completely understand the interest in it, I’m interested in it," Sumrall said. "But I’m interested in like 1000 other things. And so I think too often, the storyline is always the quarterback, the quarterback, the quarterback.
"I’m like, well, I’m pretty (expletive) worried about who the right tackle is and who the left tackle is who. So those decisions are as important, to be quite honest with you, because they’re protecting the quarterback.”
Coming into the spring, the offensive line and quarterback were concerns for the Gators. Those two units have plenty of work to do when training camp starts this summer.