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11/05/2026 08:11:00
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11/05 08:10 CST No. 25 Florida to start QB Tramell Jones against Oklahoma in
the Swamp, AP source says
No. 25 Florida to start QB Tramell Jones against Oklahoma in the Swamp, AP
source says
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
Tramell Jones Jr. will make his second career start for Florida when the
25th-ranked Gators host Oklahoma on Saturday night, a person familiar with the
decision confirmed to The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Gators have not
announced a starter. CBS Sports first reported the move from Aaron Philo to
Jones.
Jones got the majority of first-team repetitions during the week, the person
said. Coach Jon Sumrall declined to name a starter Monday but tweaked his depth
chart to add "or" between his QBs and said he had "a plan that is already kind
of in motion and in place."
Sumrall benched Philo following two interceptions in a 27-8 loss to Georgia in
Atlanta last Saturday. Jones replaced him in the second quarter, committed two
more turnovers and had a third one negated by a penalty.
Sumrall said the toughest part of his QB evaluation is that Florida's offensive
line has been so porous that it's difficult to tell which guy really gives the
Gators (5-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) a better chance against the Sooners
(4-4, 2-3) in the Swamp.
"I don't know if Tom Brady was our quarterback on Saturday if it would have
helped us," Sumrall said. "And I'm not trying to be a smart aleck. He would
have been under too much duress and pressure to operate."
Jones has completed 70.8% of his passes for 579 yards with four touchdowns and
three interceptions. He also has rushed for 77 yards and a score. He won his
previous start, at Texas last month, while filling in for Philo (shoulder).
Jones became the first Florida quarterback since Jesse Palmer in 1997 to win
his first career start on the road against a top-10 team. Jones completed 22 of
35 passes for 155 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against the
Longhorns. Days later, Sumrall said he was dealing with an injury that might
require offseason surgery.
Philo has completed 70.5% of his passes for 1,367 yards with nine TDs and five
INTs. He has 103 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
But his first pick against the Bulldogs was one that Sumrall said he had never
seen before. Philo stumbled trying to avoid a sack on the team's opening series
and threw an underhand pass toward the sideline. His attempt to throw the ball
away landed in the hands of Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV. He was
benched after throwing another interception two drives later.
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