Florida's quarterback battle between Philo, Jones could shape CFP race

Spring workout season is wrapping up around the college football world, with many programs playing their intrasquad exhibition games over the next couple of weeks. Others, like the Florida Gators, have already played theirs.

Among the major Bowl Subdivision schools preparing for summer with critical quarterback competitions is Florida, which must fill a void left behind by former starter DJ Lagway, now with the Baylor Bears. The battle is between redshirt sophomore transfer Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr., the latter of whom backed up Lagway last year.

USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg recently took a look at eight spring QB competitions that could shape the College Football Playoff race. While the Gators have a long way to go between now and next December, he included them in his assessment.

"New coach Jon Sumrall has said this competition will extend into fall camp even if Philo seems to be the favorite," Myerberg begins.

"He has the edge in experience after making more than 100 attempts across two years at Georgia Tech and has a deeper familiarity with the Gators’ offense under coordinator Buster Faulkner, who held the same position with the Yellow Jackets. Yet Jones outplayed Philo in the final scrimmage and did a better job during the spring of protecting the football."

Honestly, it is difficult to derive any conclusions from this year's Orange and Blue Game. Philo completed 21 of 28 passes (75%) for 193 yards, with a pair of touchdowns and interceptions for a QB rating of 142.2, while Jones Jr. completed 13 of 17 attempts (76%) for 210 yards with a pair of TDs and no INTs for a QB rating of 219.1 against a defense that was rotating various players in and out of assignments.

Both had their ups and downs, and neither had a particularly definitive performance in a game played with an unorthodox setup — the offense and defense as separate teams using a very unique scoring system. There will be plenty to hash out this summer and in the fall camp ahead of Florida's season opener against the FAU Owls on Sept. 5 in the Swamp.