Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. had not started a game in more than two years prior to leading the Gators to a win at Texas. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
A Long Wait, A Big Moment For Jones
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | Football
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By: Ryan Roddy, FloridaGators.com Student Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It had been more than two years since Tramell Jones Jr. last started.
In 2024, Jones led the Mandarin Mustangs of Jacksonville to a convincing 57-13 season-opening win, connecting with two standout receivers: senior Jaime Ffrench, a five-star recruit, and freshman Brysen Wright, who later earned five-star status.
The Mustangs' second game, however, brought an unexpected turn. On Aug. 30, 2024, Jones, a four-year starter committed to Florida State, played in his 35th high school game.
It would be his last.
Jones completed all four of his attempts for 142 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a lower-leg injury. His season and high school career were over. Mandarin went on to win 47-0 and finished the season 7-4.
Despite being injured, Jones officially visited UF that November. He watched the Gators upset No. 21 LSU on Nov. 16, then flipped his commitment from FSU to Florida the following day. He signed with the Gators on National Signing Day.
The 6-foot, 196-pound quarterback played in two low-leverage situations as a freshman backup and five more as a sophomore after losing the quarterback battle against Aaron Philo.
"I was definitely disappointed," Jones said of not winning the starting job in preseason camp. "But after the decision, I had two choices to make. I could either lay my head down, or I could keep competing. I can keep working. I can keep getting better; that's what I'm gonna do."
When Philo was sidelined with a shoulder injury, Jones got his number called to start his first game since his high school injury.
But this wasn't a return to a high school stadium that held a few thousand fans. He stepped into a hostile road environment against No. 7 Texas, with 103,989 in attendance, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
And Jones delivered.
On the Monday before the game, with questions about Philo's health and Jones' role, Florida head coach Jon Sumrall expressed confidence in Jones should the Gators have to turn to him coming off a disappointing homecoming loss to South Carolina.
After the game, Sumrall's confidence seemed well-placed.
"I'm proud of him for staying resilient," Sumrall said after Florida's 27-24 comeback win. "Going back to training camp when he didn't win the job, and still being ready, and did a really nice job."
Gators head coach Jon Sumrall and quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. after Saturday's win at Texas. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Jones completed 22 of 35 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, adding 41 yards rushing. His performance did not start as well as it finished.
Florida fell behind 17-3 as the offense struggled to find its rhythm.
"He would tell you, he'd be the first one to tell you, he by no means played perfect," Sumrall said. "Missed plenty of opportunities and throws, but for his first opportunity, even when he didn't make some throws he needed to make, he kept battling and kept fighting, and that's when good things happen."
And good things did happen.
Right before halftime, Jones delivered a game-changing play. On fourth-and-12 at Texas' 36-yard line, Jones found Dallas Wilson near the sideline for a 17-yard gain to keep the drive alive.
"It gave the team a spark, and that's what we needed," Jones said. "Started off slow, didn't play nowhere near perfect. But the team was behind me."
Jones capped the nine-play, 49-yard drive by hitting tight end Lacota Dippre for a 7-yard touchdown, giving the Gators momentum going into the locker room.
On the first drive of the second half, it happened again: Jones found Dippre for an 8-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17.
The Gators added a field goal and a rushing touchdown by Jadan Baugh to go up 27-17. Texas answered with a late touchdown, setting up a tense finish.
But with less than two minutes remaining, Jones got the ball back to close out the upset. After Baugh made small gains on back-to-back plays, the Gators faced a third-and-7. Jones escaped the pocket for a 9-yard gain to set up victory formation.
The stakes were enormous, and the noise may have been loud, but Jones approached the moment like countless others throughout his football career.
"It's pretty big," Jones said of the win. "But I've been playing football all my life. I just took it in as another football game, coming in here and playing the game I've been playing all my life."
From a season-ending high school injury to a change of college commitment and a prolonged battle for the starting job, Jones had waited more than two years for his opportunity. Even while listed as Florida's No. 2 quarterback, he said he prepared as though he were the starter.
The future of Florida's quarterback room remains uncertain as the Gators prepare to face Georgia after their bye week. Jones, however, intends to keep doing what prepared him to be ready at Texas.
"Just staying resilient, staying ready," he said. "Everyone around me always (talked) about how they had confidence in me and to stay ready, no matter when my number was called. And that's what I did. It's tops off to everyone around me, keeping the confidence up and always reassuring me.
