If Aaron Philo doesn't play against Texas, it won't be for a lack of trying.
The Florida Gators quarterback has been hampered by a shoulder injury all week and was listed as questionable in the availability reports earlier this week. Philo has started all six games this season. If he can't go it will be Tramell Jones making his first career start.
Philo has been on the field and warming up, which suggests he feels good enough to at least test out the shoulder and possibly giving it a go. He will be staring at one of the toughest defenses in the nation and Longhorns' defender Colin Simmons is a pass rushing machine.
QB Aaron Philo warming up in Austin. Listed as gametime decision. @WCJB20 pic.twitter.com/LUCHnByO2J
— Olivia Eisenhauer (@oeisenhauertv) October 17, 2026
Aaron Philo is a gametime decision vs. Texas
Philo has completed over 70% of his passes this season, throwing nine touchdowns with three interceptions. As injuries to wide receivers Vernell Brown III and Eric Singleton Jr. have given defenses the green light to focus all their attention on stopping Jadan Baugh, it has put more stress on Philo's ability to move the offense with his arms or his legs. Those hits have accumulated and last week's 38-19 loss to South Carolina was a painful one for Philo in more ways than one.
Brown and Bailey Stockton are both game-time decisions as well, while backup running back Duke Clark will not play.
There's also somewhat of an under swelling to see what Jones can do. With the Gators in the middle of a brutal stretch of games and outside the AP Poll, this would be a great opportunity for Jones to show if he has what it takes to lead Florida's offense in these tough games.
With Florida on a bye in Week 8 and a trip to Atlanta to face the Georgia Bulldogs at the end of the month, there is the train of thought that giving Philo a few weeks to rest and recover could be the best move to make sure the Gators are stronger down the stretch and assure themselves of a bowl berth.
And if Jones puts together a magical performance against a top-10 team? That could provide some of the answers that Jon Sumrall needs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google