Florida's Sumrall Says Tramell Jones Jr., Aaron Philo Don't 'Need to be Tim Tebow' amid QB Battle

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall referenced former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow when discussing the battle between Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo for the team's starting signal-caller job.

"None of them need to be Tim Tebow," Sumrall said Wednesday, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. "They need to be somebody that just manages a game and operates the right way at the line scrimmage and doesn't turn the football over. We've got decent skill players around the quarterback position with Jadan Baugh and the receiver group."

Florida will have a new starting quarterback for the 2026 campaign after DJ Lagway transferred to Baylor.

Jones is a candidate to start after making two appearances with the Gators as a freshman in 2025, completing 60.0 percent of his throws for 191 yards and two touchdowns without getting picked off.

He's competing with Philo, who transferred to Florida from Georgia Tech on Jan. 6.

Philo suited up in eight combined games with the Yellow Jackets from 2024-25, completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 938 yards. He also tossed two touchdowns and three interceptions.

It's understandable if neither player is able to match the impact of Tebow, who won two national championships throughout his four seasons on the Gators from 2006-09.

He threw for 9,285 yards and 88 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions in 55 total games at Florida, rushing for 2,947 yards and 57 scores.

The Gators are currently looking to climb up the SEC standings in their first year under Sumrall, as they're coming off a 4-8 finish in 2025.