Florida’s under-the-radar freshman QB is trying to make a QB2 case

There’s no question that DJ Lagway, as long as he can stay healthy, is Florida’s guy in the pocket on opening night. But the slot that is still up for grabs is the backup quarterback position, and right now, a young freshman quarterback is putting up a fight to earn that spot. 

While many analysts say Tramell Jones Jr. is on the outside looking in, the 6’3”, 203lb Jacksonville, FL native has been getting some high praise from his teammates throughout camp. He is a player that no one should overlook, as he is working hard to make a name for himself to backup Lagway.

In an article by Nick Marcinko of Gator Country, Redshirt Senior center Jake Slaughter talked highly of the freshman.

“I personally think Tramell is going to be a great football player,” said Slaughter. “The way he can move around in the pocket, the way he can get loose outside. His scramble drill, and it’s a bomb. Yeah, Tramell, he’s awesome,” praised Slaughter. “He works his tail off. He takes things seriously. You seem in a walkthrough, and it’s a game-day rep for him. So I’ve been very impressed.”

The Mandarin High School graduate was ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 25 quarterback and the No. 51 prospect in the class of 2025. Though he suffered a broken ankle his senior season at Mandarin, Billy Napier still liked what Jones Jr. could bring to the table and gave him a shot, recruiting him to stay close to home, and that is clearly paying off.

Jones Jr. has looked strong and healthy in camp this summer, throwing perfect, accurate, and strong passes that have been highlighted throughout camp. 

On paper, Last year’s backup to Lagway, Aiden Warner, is battling it out with Harrison Bailey for the QB2 job, and Jones Jr. is sitting at QB4. But this time last year, everyone would have assumed Warner was QB4, and he wound up having to take meaningful snaps against Georgia and Texas.

It's with that in mind, even though it was closed to the public, that Graham Hall of Swamp247 indicated that Jones did have a strong performance Saturday, including a touchdown pass. And as we’ve seen players state on their social media, the scrimmage is like an important “interview” for most players. And it sounds like Jones Jr. had a great interview.

Thus, the former four-star recruit is vying for his spot at at least No. 3.