Sports

Jon Sumrall Rejects Favoritism Claims Surrounding New QB With Comments On Supposed Locker Room Revolt

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iStockphoto / Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun

Florida named Aaron Philo its starting quarterback.


Transfer signal caller Aaron Philo will be the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators in Week 1. Head coach Jon Sumrall made the announcement on Monday while touching on outside narratives.

Sumrall rejected claims of favoritism surrounding his handpicked passer. He insists that the competition was fair. He also squashed the insinuations of locker room tension.

There is a belief that players wanted Tramell Jones to be the Day 1 starter. He stuck with the program through a coaching change. He also showed out in the Gators‘ spring game.

Jones finished that afternoon 13-17 with 210 yards and two scores. His counterpart threw two scores and two picks on 18-24 passing.

As a result, a debate began raging around the quarterback position. A number of fans wanted Jones to get the nod. Do players feel the same?

Jon Sumrall squashes claims of locker room drama.

The coach took to the podium earlier this week to make his starting quarterback announcement. He quieted narratives of unhappiness inside the Florida football building.

“There will not be some crazy big hoopla around in our building. It’s just how we’re moving forward,” he said in response to naming Philo the starter.

Sumrall said he met with both players after coming to his decision. He insists that both are content with where things currently stand. Both will continue to have opportunities moving forward.

The online narrative formed mostly due to fan reaction. No players have publicly voiced opposition to the starting quarterback designation.

With that being said, it was an outcome most predicted when Philo transferred from Georgia Tech. There is a belief that the job was always Philo’s to lose. Was Tramell Jones given a fair shake?

Florida handpicked Aaron Philo.

The signal caller spent two seasons with the Yellow Jackets before making the move to Gainesville. He played largely in a reserve role in Atlanta.

Philo appeared in eight games, completing 57.8% of his passes for 938 yards. He has more interceptions than touchdowns to his name.

His offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner, was hired by Florida last December. Philo followed a few days later.

The partnership gave the Gators a quarterback already familiar with scheme and play calling. He had an immediate leg up in the competition. That experience in Faulkner’s offense paid dividends.

The final result was foreseen, but Jon Sumrall maintained that the QB battle was fair.

“It’s been a real battle; it’s not been some empty competition. It’s been real and that’s where we are. (Philo) has operated at the line of scrimmage at a touch higher level. 

“There’s no surprise in the spring because he’d been in the system and Tramell had not. We’re able to operate the full offense at a little bit higher level with Aaron, with the whole level.”

-Jon Sumrall

Jones has only been in the system a few months. Philo has two years on him. It has allowed him to earn the starting role.

Despite a negative reaction from a select group of fans, there is no locker room drama. Florida football players will not revolt.

Aaron Philo won the starting job fair and square. He will take the first snap under center in the Gators’ opener vs. Florida Atlantic.