The Answer To The QB Question Is Aaron Philo. But Maybe It Will Change?

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Have we all forgotten about Aidan Warner and Will Griffin?

By EDDIE GILLEY

GatorBaitMedia.com

Two’s company and Three’s a crowd. Unless you are old enough to remember the TV show Three’s Company. 

Most experts and even the average fan assumed the quarterback battle for the Gators’ opening snap was  a two-man race. 

We now know Aaron Philo got the nod just because of his experience with a Buster Faulkner offense, but that has Tramell Jones Jr. made up enough ground that the coaches think his arm talent is enough to earn some playing time.

Have we all forgotten about Aidan Warner and Will Griffin?

Ok, so maybe you can be forgiven for not thinking about Warner. I mean he did start against Texas and play against Georgia. 

However, there are people close to the program who told me that the only thing holding Will Griffin back from serious contention for the starting job was a lack of mastering the offense. 

The jump from high school to SEC is harder than most people think. Especially at the pivotal position of QB. His arm has looked strong in the limited viewing most of the media has been afforded to us. We just don’t get to see the operation piece during the 7 on 7 or 11 on 11 parts of practice. 

That’s kind of been the knock on Jones as well. His arm talent has never been in question. His athletic ability either. What has been mentioned is his ability to make reads at the line of scrimmage and manage the operation parts of the offense. 

The small details that are often overlooked. If you think that doesn’t matter just remember the play last year when the entire defense moved to the two “A” gaps or right over the center and DJ Lagway still ran the play to give it to Jadan Baugh between the guard and center on fourth down.

Knowing how to audible or at least call time out is a valuable part of playing quarterback at any level.

Philo has been the favorite to win the job and for most commentators said it appeared to be his job to lose. But it’s not over yet.

It makes sense that Buster Faulkner would be comfortable with a guy who knows what the OC is trying to get done. He’s had more experience in this particular offense. He’s more comfortable with the verbiage and the jargon. He knows what the OC wants to do in certain situations if the defense gives a different look than was expected when the call came down. His arm strength isn’t that bad either. 

The good news is that the Gators have three solid quarterbacks and a fourth that has taken snaps in a SEC game. 

Will Griffin looked to be the odd man out as camp ended and game week preparations began. But remember just a couple of years ago when our #3 had to start? 

So if that happens, I’d feel better than I did when Warner had to do it.

I know this was wrong, but my gut felt that Jones would be the starting QB. He’s been the guy throwing to Dallas Wilson more in drills.

It’s obvious they want Jones to be a part of the offense, especially in the quarterback room and that’s why there have been reports, unconfirmed, that he got a big payday to stay – $1 million? Perhaps a raise but the amount sounds questionable.

On Jones’s outlook, Sumrall was careful to frame the decision as anything but final. He told reporters: “This is not an anointing… This is not permanent. You’re not a starter forever because you got to keep playing good.” CBS Sports captured a similar message directed specifically at Jones: “For Tramell, it’s not like you’re being relegated or demoted and forgotten. This is not fatal.” 247Sports also quoted Sumrall stressing there’s “no timeline” — that the job stays under continuous evaluation regardless of who holds it. Sumrall added Jones will keep getting some first-team reps even as Philo gets “the lion’s share” heading into the Sept. 5 opener against Florida Atlantic.

The Gators have three solid QBs, but what they need is for one of them to develop into a very good if not great college QB this season. Right now the coaches feel it’s  Philo’s turn, with no long-term promises, and we don’t buy the theory by some that I was a done deal already – give Philo  credit for earning the start.

Time will tell which one has the greatest chance to fulfill that wish for all of Gator Nation. But there are very strong options.