As much as Gator football fans don't like thinking about it, the No. 2 quarterback position is arguably the most important backup spot on the entire Florida roster this season.

Yes, 6-foot-3, 247-pound DJ Lagway is the unquestionable starter. He's 6-1 when he begins the game under center and 6-0 when he finishes the game there. But Lagway has been the victim of some nagging injuries in his short time at UF and the Gators' brutal schedule this fall is going to make it difficult for even the strongest, best protected and fittest QB to escape unscathed.

That's why the performance of true freshman Tramell Jones Jr. in last weekend's 55-0 romp over Long Island University is so significant for UF.

The 6-0, 203-pound Jones played the entire second half and didn’t waste the opportunity to prove himself. worthy of the No. 2 QB spot. Jones completed 12 of 18 passes for 131 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. It was the kind of poised, mistake-free performance that Gators coach Billy Napier was expecting to see from the Jacksonville Mandarin High product.

“It's been impressive to watch him," Napier said. "I think he's intelligent, I think he's got some presence, maturity, the situation is not too big for him, and he's very coachable.

"I think early (in the LIU game), he struggled with the big bodies in the pocket, you know, the OLs and DLs around him and I think once he got comfortable with keeping his eyes down the field and working the pocket, he continued to impress us."

Up 38-0 at the half on LIU after Lagway’s strong second quarter showing (three TD passes), Napier brought in Jones for his first collegiate appearance. What Napier like most about Jones' debut was his throwing mechanics and decision making against the Sharks.

"He was extremely accurate and the spin rate and velocity on the ball is elite," Napier said. "I don't think he missed the other night and the ball went where it was supposed to go -- every time. I was impressed with eye-to-eye just watching him. Some kids may not have been able to handle that."

The emergence of a capable No. 2 quarterback is no small matter in Gainesville. Lagway, who is considered a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, suffered a hamstring injury last season against Georgia, which forced him to miss the next game. He also had off-season surgery for a core muscle injury, has overcome nagging shoulder soreness and, most recently, a calf strain that put him in a walking boot at the start of this fall's training camp.

 Jones, a four-star recruit ranked highly by both ESPN and Rivals, arrived at Florida with a reputation as a prolific passer. At Mandarin, he threw for 7,197 yards and 75 touchdowns, though his high school career ended abruptly with a season-ending ACL injury his senior year.

That injury slowed his early development in Gainesville and kept him off the radar of most preseason depth chart predictions. During spring camp, Jones was still easing back into regular training and saw limited reps, often working behind senior transfer Harrison Bailey, who arrived from Louisville, and redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner. Yet as summer workouts and preseason practices unfolded, Jones began to show why Florida has pursued him since he was a teen athlete attending Gator football camps.

Saturday’s performance erased any lingering doubt. Jones’ timing with receivers looked sharp, his footwork crisp, and his decision-making mature beyond his years. His two touchdown passes—one a tight-window throw on a slant to Tony Livingston, the other a perfectly lofted ball over the top of coverage—showed his ability to make both high-percentage and high-difficulty plays.

Pro Football Focus reported two of Jones' passing attempts against LIU were dropped by intended receiver, which would have given him an adjusted completion percentage of 77.8. Watching from the sidelines, Lagway was just as impressed as Napier with Jones' debut.

“I'm so proud of Tramell,” Lagway said. “The things he's dealt with the last year or so with his injury in high school. Man, I'm so proud of him. I'm so excited for his journey. He's going to be a heck of a player.”

What makes the story even more meaningful is Jones’ connection to the program. His father is a University of Florida alumnus, and Trammel grew up steeped in Gator culture. Saturday’s debut wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a family one.

Now, with South Florida coming to town on Saturday, Jones knows his role: be ready if Lagway falters or falls. It’s a tall task for a freshman, but he’s already shown he can handle the pressure.

Jones may not have expected to emerge this quickly, but after just one game, it’s clear he’s the next man up.

Related Gators Stories

2025 FLORIDA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: Dates, location, TV information, results in real time. CLICK HERE

SPOT THE BALL: The temptation to look ahead at the nation's toughest college  football schedule is undeniable. Florida coach Billy Napier has reduced his message to players in three words. CLICK HERE