Source: Florida flips to Jones as QB starter vs. Oklahoma

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• ESPN News Services

Nov 5, 2026, 09:14 AM ET

Tramell Jones Jr. is expected to make his second career start for Florida when the No. 24 Gators host Oklahoma on Saturday night, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Coach Jon Sumrall declined to name a starter Monday but tweaked his depth chart to add "or" between quarterbacks Jones and Aaron Philo and said he had "a plan that is already kind of in motion and in place."

Sumrall benched Philo after he threw two interceptions during a 27-8 loss to Georgia on Saturday. Jones replaced Philo in the second quarter, committed two more turnovers and had a third one negated by a penalty.

The toughest part of the quarterback evaluation, Sumrall said, 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 SEC) 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."

CBS Sports first reported the move from Philo to Jones against the Sooners.

Jones has completed 70.8% of his passes for 579 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has rushed for 77 yards and a score. He won his previous start, at Texas last month, while filling in for Philo when he had a shoulder injury.

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 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has 104 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Philo's 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.