How Tramell Jones Jr. stayed ready for his moment in Florida football’s upset of Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – The circumstances didn't matter to Florida football's Tramell Jones Jr.

It didn't matter that he didn't win the starting quarterback job in the offseason. Nor did he care that he had the tough task of making his first career start against No. 6 Texas.

All that mattered was staying ready, just as he had been all season.

"I was preparing like I was a starter every week, so this week was no different for me," Jones said. "But just preparing, taking reps 100%.

That preparation paid off Saturday, as Jones helped lead Florida to an improbable 27-24 upset against the Longhorns. It's why Florida coach Jon Sumrall reiterated earlier in the week that he believed the Gators can win with Jones at quarterback.

"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," Sumrall said. "And so I'm proud of him for staying resilient, through going back to training camp when he didn't win the job, and still being ready."

Jones learned Friday that he was named starter as Aaron Philo continued to deal with a shoulder injury.

"We knew it all week, pretty much," Sumrall said. "All you had to be able to do to figure that out was have a pulse. But what I would say is, through maybe some things that didn't go well for him in the game, he stayed steady and responded, and he'd miss a throw and come back and make a throw."

Jones wasn't rattled by an ugly start as Florida (5-2, 3-2 SEC) went 0-for-7 on third-down conversions in the first half, trailing 17-3 to Texas (4-2, 1-2).

But things turned around for Jones just after missing a wide-open Eric Singleton for what could have been a touchdown. Instead of getting rattled, he settled in.

"I overthrew Eric in practice, so I was kind of aiming it," Jones said. "I can hit those kind of footballs. I just got to lay it out there. Eric's a fast guy; he can go get it. So I got to trust him.

Jones responded on fourth-and-12, threading a pass to Dallas Wilson along the sideline for a 17-yard gain. The conversion helped set up Florida's first touchdown and kick-started a stretch in which the Gators scored 24 unanswered points.

"Just taking play-by-play, hitting Dallas, trusting him to go flat on flood route, and we converted," Jones said. "It gave the team a spark, and that's what we needed. Started off slow, didn't play nowhere near perfect. But the team was behind me."

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In similar fashion, out of the half, Jones orchestrated another scoring drive to tie the game as Jones went 5-for-5 on third-down plays.

"I think he played great. I've been saying this for a long time," said Florida running back Jadan Baugh, who delivered a late touchdown to seal the win. "As soon as he got here as a freshman. I said Tramell's going to be a great quarterback because he has that grit, he has that want-to."

Jones finished 22-for-35 for 155 yards and two touchdowns while scrambling for 41 yards to complete the upset.

"It's pretty big," Jones said. "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."

Now as the Gators head to the open week, it'll be seen if Florida makes a change under center in preparation for No. 1 Georgia.

"I know that's going to be everybody's question probably," Sumrall said. "I would say this: I'm going to get, I'm going to watch the tape; the whole staff will. I'm happy for Tramell and his success. He missed plenty of things today. He did some good things today. The success with our team today had more to do than just the quarterback.

"There's going to be no decision tonight of like, here's what I'm doing moving forward. Philo's been our guy and has won us some big games, too. Just like Tramell helped us win a big game today as well. So I like both guys. I love both guys. I believe in both guys."

Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie . You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports .