GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators put on pads Monday in Gainesville as position battles continued in preseason practice, including the competition to determine the team’s starting quarterback.
The quarterback battle is between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr.
Jones is a returning player from last year, while Philo transferred from Georgia Tech after offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner joined the Gators. Both quarterbacks threw the ball well during practice.
Philo is not the only former Yellow Jacket now with Florida.
Center Harrison Moore is expected to replace two-time All-American Jake Slaughter in the middle of the Gators’ offensive line.
Moore, a junior offensive lineman, said Slaughter reached out early after he arrived in Gainesville.
“One of my first weeks here, Jake Slaughter came up to me. We talked for like 30 minutes,” Moore said. “I don’t look at it as trying to fill his shoes.”
Moore was part of a 32-player transfer class for new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall.
“Sumrall told us this: Just go an extra two yards, every drill, every time out, and it just stacks and stacks and stacks. The next thing you know, you’re 100% better than what you would’ve been,” said Moore.
The Gators also have new pieces on defense, including former UCLA defensive back Kanye Clark.
Clark, a redshirt junior, said his walk-on background continues to shape his approach at Florida.
“I feel like I always have to prove myself,” Clark said. “Being a walk-on, I always remember that. Being from the West Coast coming to SEC, I always have to prove myself.”
Clark said one of his favorite players to face in practice is Vernell Brown III.
The former Jones High School standout is coming off a freshman season with 512 receiving yards and is expected to have a larger role in Gainesville.