Florida names Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo starting quarterback for season opener

Gainesville, Fla. (AP) — Florida has named Aaron Philo as their starting quarterback for the team's season opener against Florida Atlantic on September 5th, announced coach Jon Sumrall on Monday. Philo, a 6-foot-1, 207-pound junior from Bogart, Georgia, has edged out Tramell Jones Jr. in a competition that began in the spring and continued throughout fall camp.

The Gators held a scrimmage on Saturday, and Sumrall made the announcement two days later, informing both quarterbacks of his decision on Sunday. According to Sumrall, the "biggest separator" was Philo's ability to "operate the full offense at a little bit higher level right now." He stated that both quarterbacks are "awesome" and fully understand and see where the team stands in the competition.

The announcement comes as Sumrall said Philo will receive "the lion's share of the reps" with the first-team offense beginning this week in practice, while Jones will serve as the backup and await another opportunity. Both players are similar in arm talent, running ability, and speed, but Sumrall believes Philo's advantage lies in his ability to navigate the offense more effectively and make better decisions on the field.