Saturday night was not just a great season debut for DJ Lagway in the pocket, but the freshman quarterback, Tramell Jones Jr., who we wrote about impressing during camp this summer, has officially gone from under the radar to earning his spot as the Florida Gators’ No. 2 quarterback after a phenomenal showing against Long Island.
.@TramellJonesJr if you didn’t know now you do, is the backup QB for the #Gators. He beat out @aidanwarner_3 and @HBailey_05 for the job. pic.twitter.com/ENxuDDlgsp
— Alyssa Britton-Harr (@abrittonharr) August 31, 2025
Up 38-0 at the half, Lagway’s day was done as Billy Napier brought in the Jacksonville, FL. native for his first collegiate appearance, and he made it look like he was a veteran.
Jones Jr. was 12-for-18 with a 66.7 percent completion percentage and 131 passing yards, his longest being 32 yards. He threw for two touchdowns as Florida went on to shutout LIU 55-0. During his second-half appearance, Jones Jr. also rushed for 14 yards on five attempts, with his longest rush at nine yards as he proved he has the ability to utilize his run game when he needs to.
His first collegiate touchdown pass came with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. Florida was second and goal when Jones Jr. tossed a beautiful pass to Tony Livingston to extend the Gators’ lead over LIU.
QB Tramell Jones Jr. throws his first career touchdown pass to Tony Livingston!
— Stadium and Gale: A Florida Gators Podcast (@StadiumAndGale) August 31, 2025
48-0 🐊 pic.twitter.com/oLpxnke5jU
“Good to see Tramell Jones get an opportunity to play,” said Napier in his postgame press conference when talking about players who worked hard during camp getting an opportunity to get some looks in game one.
Tramell was told by Napier prior to the season opener that he has indeed earned the No. 2 spot behind Lagway and Napier said he earned it.
“Tramell has earned the job,” stated Napier. “He’s really had a strong surge in the last few weeks and I think we’ve seen him as he got healthy and we started to give him more reps with the first and second unit, he just kept getting better. He’s a pure passer, he can really throw it. He’s got velocity on the ball, his spin rate is impressive, and he’s a very accurate quarterback,” described Napier of Jones Jr. Napier said he has impressed the coaching staff during camp, has the ability to make plays with his feet, and earned the role of being the No. 2 behind Lagway.
Jones Jr. beat out redshirt sophomore, Aidan Warner and senior, Harrison Bailey for the job as a freshman, and there’s something to be said about that.