Tramell Jones Jr. embraces the chase in Florida’s quarterback race
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GAINESVILLE — The race never stops for Tramell Jones Jr.
Florida’s redshirt freshman quarterback is nearly 2 mph faster after a rigorous offseason. Since January, he’s immersed himself in new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner’s system, boosting Jones’ football IQ by a few points. Each day away from the football facility, he spends hours reviewing his notes and fine-tuning his defensive reads.
Jones’ pursuit is constant as he tries to catch and eventually pass redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo, who followed Faulkner to Gainesville after two seasons together at Georgia Tech.
“You’ve got to be able to adapt,” Jones said after practice Friday, speaking publicly for the first time since April’s spring game. “That’s what makes somebody a great player.”
The 19-year-old from Jacksonville is accustomed to giving chase. He’s shown a knack for closing the gap.
Jones played quarterback since youth football. In middle school, coaches moved him to receiver — a decision he recalled “ticked me off a little bit.”
By the time he returned to quarterback at Mandarin High School, he was a freshman fourth-stringer. But after injuries to two players ahead of him and another’s struggles, Jones got his opportunity. He threw a 70-yard touchdown on his first play and never looked back.
A severe ankle injury in Week 2 of his senior season ended Jones’ decorated career. It also cost him valuable time to develop the following spring at Florida, leaving him playing catch-up once again.
Jones appeared well-positioned to become the starter after Billy Napier was fired and quarterback DJ Lagway entered the transfer portal. Instead, Faulkner arrived and brought Philo with him, forcing Jones to learn a new offense and prove himself again.
True to form, Jones has made considerable strides while impressing his coaches.
“What’s been unique is how well he’s picked this up, because it’s not easy to pick up,” Faulkner said of his system. “It’s a lot, he’s done a great job of really getting caught up to speed.”
Jones knows he’s still learning.
“We’re getting closer there,” he said. “There’s always ways that I can improve and I think it will be second nature.”
When it comes to operating the offense, Philo has an obvious edge entering his third season with Faulkner.
But Jones possesses traits that have helped him stand out since arriving in Gainesville.
He generates a spin rate on the football approaching elite NFL levels. He’s also accurate, anticipates defenders and consistently puts receivers in position to gain yards after the catch.
“Accuracy and arm strength, being a point guard on the field, and just delivering the ball wherever I need to on the field and making the throw at any time — those are my best attributes,” he said.
A 75-yard-touchdown to Micah Mays Jr. during April’s spring game was the day’s signature play, showing not only Jones’ arm talent but also the processing ability Faulkner demands.
“I learned to just take what the defense gives you,” Jones said. “Spread the ball to your athletes. That’s pretty much been the word. That’s being a part of what a point guard is, not trying to do too much.
“There’s a time to be a game manager and a game changer. I learned that.”
Faulkner’s offense also capitalizes on a quarterback’s ability to make plays with his legs.
Playing in Mandarin’s pass-heavy offense, Jones threw for 7,197 yards and 75 touchdowns against just 21 interceptions in 35 high school games, while rushing for 356 yards on 56 carries.
Jones is now even more equipped to rely on his feet after increasing his top-end speed from 19.92 mph to 21.71 mph. Working in strength coach Rusty Whitt’s demanding program, the 6-foot, 196-pound Jones also squatted and deadlifted 500 pounds.
“It adds elements to your speed when you go on the field, and you can really feel how explosive,” Jones said.
Working alongside Jones each day, Philo has been impressed with the entire package.
“He’s a really smart player,” he said. “He understands the defense really well. Obviously he has a lot of zip on his ball. I think he’s got a really strong arm, but he’s a really smart player and really sharp.”
The competition remains wide open, with neither Faulkner nor coach Jon Sumrall committing to a timeline for naming a starter.
After spending much of his football life chasing opportunities, Jones isn’t worried about where he stands today.
He’s focused on where he’ll finish.
“You just got to overcome the odds, and you keep pushing yourself,” he said.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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