Quarterbacks Tramell Jones Jr. and Aaron Philo during preseason camp. (UAA file photo)
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. replaced starter DJ Lagway in the second half of Florida's lopsided loss to Kentucky a season ago.
Jones is the one being replaced on Saturday when the Gators return to Lexington.
Reports surfaced Thursday morning that Aaron Philo will return and get the start against the Wildcats after he was benched in favor of Jones two weeks ago against Georgia. Jones made his second career start — and first at The Swamp — in last week's 23-7 loss to Oklahoma.
Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner suggested this week that the position will be evaluated each week as the Gators enter the final third of the regular season. Florida closes the regular season with a trip to Kentucky, then at home against Vanderbilt, and the regular-season finale at Florida State.
"We're evaluating everything that both of them do, and we're continuing to,'' Faulkner said Tuesday. "They're both young. I've said it before, I'm not going to back down from that. One of them's just had two starts [Jones]. That's all he's had, two starts in his college career. Does he want to play better? Yeah, he wants to play better, but that's part of growing up at that position. And then the other one, [Philo], has only had, what, seven career starts? So we've got to work through that. We understand that. You've got to do a good job putting them in a good position to be successful. You've got to have help around them. All of us are involved in this process."
Meanwhile, here are a few more topical links heading into Saturday's matchup. Florida (5-4, 3-4) can become bowl-eligible with a victory over the No. 13-ranked Wildcats (7-2, 5-2):
-- The Gators have canceled their home-and-home series with Notre Dame that was set for 2031 and 2032, writes Mark Long of the Associated Press.
-- UF arena to become Tower Hill Arena in new naming deal, writes Alan Festo of the Gainesville Sun.
-- Connections run deep between Gators and Wildcats in crucial game, writes Jon Hale of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Jones is the one being replaced on Saturday when the Gators return to Lexington.
Reports surfaced Thursday morning that Aaron Philo will return and get the start against the Wildcats after he was benched in favor of Jones two weeks ago against Georgia. Jones made his second career start — and first at The Swamp — in last week's 23-7 loss to Oklahoma.
Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner suggested this week that the position will be evaluated each week as the Gators enter the final third of the regular season. Florida closes the regular season with a trip to Kentucky, then at home against Vanderbilt, and the regular-season finale at Florida State.
Florida is expected to start QB Aaron Philo against Kentucky, @Swamp_247 and @mzenitz have learned: https://t.co/BeGwBtQVVs
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) November 12, 2026
"We're evaluating everything that both of them do, and we're continuing to,'' Faulkner said Tuesday. "They're both young. I've said it before, I'm not going to back down from that. One of them's just had two starts [Jones]. That's all he's had, two starts in his college career. Does he want to play better? Yeah, he wants to play better, but that's part of growing up at that position. And then the other one, [Philo], has only had, what, seven career starts? So we've got to work through that. We understand that. You've got to do a good job putting them in a good position to be successful. You've got to have help around them. All of us are involved in this process."
Meanwhile, here are a few more topical links heading into Saturday's matchup. Florida (5-4, 3-4) can become bowl-eligible with a victory over the No. 13-ranked Wildcats (7-2, 5-2):
-- The Gators have canceled their home-and-home series with Notre Dame that was set for 2031 and 2032, writes Mark Long of the Associated Press.
-- UF arena to become Tower Hill Arena in new naming deal, writes Alan Festo of the Gainesville Sun.
-- Connections run deep between Gators and Wildcats in crucial game, writes Jon Hale of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
TOPICAL TWEET
I rarely watch the weather, but if headed to Kentucky, you might want to pack a jacket ...If you are headed up to Kentucky for Saturday's UF football game, expect it to be very chilly! This matchup is more synonymous with college basketball. However, in this game, the Wildcats are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Gators look to become bowl eligible. https://t.co/Q3k6uDyYEO
— Meteorologist Casey Cloud (@CloudCasey) November 12, 2026
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
