Gators QB Tramell Jones Jr.’s dynamite performance vs. Texas creates fascinating decision for HC Jon Sumrall, and it could change their trajectory
Jon Sumrall’s words during spring practice could make for a fascinating decision ahead of Halloween against Georgia.
The Florida Gators improved to 5-2 by upsetting the No. 7 Texas Longhorns 27-24 on the road. Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. made the first start of his career, and Florida found a way to win behind him in one of the toughest environments in college football.
Jones also made some history. He became the first Gators quarterback since 1997 to win his first career start on the road against a top-10 opponent. The only other player to do it was Jesse Palmer, who did it against the Auburn Tigers in 1997. Palmer was on the broadcast for this game, which made the moment fitting.
Florida Gators upset win creates fascinating dilemma for Jon Sumrall
This game is a perfect encapsulation of what the Gators knew they had to do to support Jones in his first start: make it easy for him.
The offense was still without wide receiver Vernell Brown III and the offensive line struggled to contain Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons until he left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. Florida had to find answers without one of its key playmakers while dealing with consistent pressure up front.
When you add those things together, it’s a great team win for the Gators. It also raises a lot of questions about the most important position on the field.
The biggest question is what Florida does once Aaron Philo is healthy, assuming he is available ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs game. Do the Gators make the switch back?
It’s a decision worth watching closely. When the quarterback battle was in the trenches during spring practice, Gators coach Jon Sumrall made it clear he may be willing to go to the other guy at any time. That door has always been open, and Jones may have just walked through it.
“We got a long way to go to identify who’s going to be the trigger man that gets the opportunity to start game one. You start game one, and it doesn’t mean you’re starting game two or three or four, or you got to play well if you even if you get to nod for game one and so on. But I think we’re seeing certain things out of all the guys in that room,” said Sumrall during spring practice in March.
Even though the Gators’ offense wasn’t explosive, they found a way to stay efficient. However, he converted a lot of leverage downs in the second half, and those are the moments that decide close road games. He also hit Dallas Wilson on a dynamite fourth-and-12 conversion in Texas territory that set up Florida’s first-half touchdown.
That play shows what Jones brings to the table. He is much better at escaping pressure and creating outside of structure, which matters a great deal when the offensive line is having the type of day it had against Simmons. A quarterback who can extend plays gives an offense an extra safety valve when the protection breaks down.
When you piece all of those things together, Jones might be the guy to help steer this offense. He has provided more upside than Philo since the quarterback competition started, and his first start backed that up.
If the Gators do stick with Jones, it’s an unfortunate situation for Philo. He had a few good games to begin the season, but his last two were very rough. Those struggles opened the door, and Jones did enough in a difficult setting to make a real case for himself.
There is a realistic possibility that Jones is the starter for the rest of the season. Sumrall will have to weigh the steadiness Philo showed early against the playmaking ability Jones displayed in Austin.
How the Gators handle this decision will be very curious. It could completely change the trajectory of both this season and the program’s long-term outlook at quarterback.
