Starter Aaron Philo is nursing a shoulder injury from last week's loss to South Carolina and will only serve as an emergency option.
Florida is handing the keys to sophomore Tramell Jones Jr. for today's game at Texas, with starter Aaron Philo sidelined by a shoulder injury suffered in last Saturday's 38-19 loss to South Carolina. Philo's status as an emergency backup will reportedly be sorted out during warmups, but the start belongs to Jones.
It will be the first career start for Jones, who has appeared in five games this season mostly in second-half and reserve duty. In that limited action he's completed 23 of 29 passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, a 79.3% completion rate.
Jones took the bulk of first-team reps in practice this week as Philo was limited. Florida coach Jon Sumrall said the staff trusts Jones if Philo can't go, noting the sophomore has continued stacking reps with the first unit.
The assignment comes with the Gators looking to snap a two-game slide, putting the inexperienced quarterback in a tough spot on the road against a ranked Texas team.