Florida’s portal momentum starts fast with one name already leaning their way

The transfer portal is now open for business, and the hope is that Florida and Jon Sumrall aren’t asleep at the wheel like the program was during the Billy Napier Era. One of the major gaps the Gators are going to have to fill is at QB after the departure of DJ Lagway.

And while it is not official just yet, Florida does appear to be in a prime position to land the QB most had their eyes on the moment Lagway announced he was leaving.

Aaron Philo is projected to land at Florida

Pete Nakos of On3 has logged a prediction that Georgia Tech QB Aaron Philo is going to transfer to Florida. Philo was the name that first popped up as Lagway’s replacement, and this wouldn’t be a shock given that Buster Faulkner was his offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech.

Philo is a bit of a mystery, however. He was a low-tier three-star prospect coming out of high school who had minimal Power Four interest as part of the class of 2024. He did see action as a true freshman, and his most notable game was a win over NC State, where he was 19/33 passing for 265 yards. He also saw action this past season against Gardner Webb, going 21/28 for 373 yards.

Philo is a capable runner who seems accurate enough and obviously would come to town understanding the Faulkner offense, but there are also questions regarding his arm strength. Of those 373 yards against Gardner Webb, only 138 of those were considered “air yards,” while 235 of them came from yards after the catch. He notably underthrew a couple of receivers from that game, one of them leading to an interception.

His running ability does make him a bit better fit for Faulkner’s offense than Tramell Jones, who announced earlier this week he would be coming back to Florida, and Philo is considered a top ten QB in the portal.

The Gators also have Aidan Warner and incoming freshman Will Griffin on the roster for the 2026 season.