Leveraging prior experience in Buster Faulkner’s scheme, the Georgia Tech transfer secured the role through superior pre-snap command and a fearless approach to attacking the middle field.
New Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall made the biggest of decision of his tenure on Monday when he named Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo the starting quarterback for Week 1 against FAU on Sept. 5.
Philo beat out Tramell Jones Jr. to earn the starting job. He'll receive the "lion's share" of Florida's first-team reps, though Jones will get some opportunities to work with the first string.
When speaking to reporters, Sumrall explained why Philo got the job, noting he's more familiar with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner's scheme. They worked together at Georgia Tech last year.
"I would say operate at the line of scrimmage at just a touch higher level and be more efficient," Sumrall said, via USA Today. "You know, there's no surprise to that in spring because he had been in the system, and Tramell had not.
"Tramell has improved a ton, but I still think we're able to operate the full offense at a little bit higher level right now with Aaron, with the whole package. And so, that's probably the biggest separator."
Sumrall believes the arm talent and running ability for Jones and Philo are similar. Philo is more advanced operating the pre-snap offense. He's also more willing to throw over the middle.
"So I would say it's probably the biggest differentiating factor has just been being able to maybe get us into the right call, out of the wrong call, check things, alert things, kill things off of defensive pictures, and then maybe see the middle of the field a little bit more in the throw game," Sumrall said.
"But both guys have done a lot of great things, but that's probably been the biggest difference. It's just operational."
Sumrall is still a big believer in Jones, believing that he can still have a chance to earn playing time with Florida.
"This is not fatal," Sumrall said of the decision to make Jones the QB2.
Philo earned the job in Week 1, now it's his job to keep it. The Gators need solid quarterback play to win games in a tough SEC. If he can't do that, Jones could have a chance to win the job in the season.
