GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida junior quarterback Aaron Philo will return to the starting lineup on Saturday. Philo was named starter for the Georgia game, according to multiple sources Alligators online.
Philo injured his shoulder in the home loss to South Carolina and did not play against Texas. He returned to training during the bye and has progressed this week while taking reps with the first team.
“Philo, I think, will be available following his injury,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall said Monday. “He was more available in case of emergency (in Texas). I didn’t feel comfortable playing him.”
Philosopher and second year student Tramell Jones Jr.. are both dealing with injuries and were listed on the availability report as questionable against Georgia.
The No. 17 Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) play the third-ranked Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) for the first time in Atlanta Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
Philo helped Florida get off to a 4-0 start and an 8th-ranked finish before back-to-back losses. He totaled 1,341 yards this season on 105-of-149 passing (70.5%) with nine touchdowns and three interceptions, although two passes were dropped. He also had 104 yards and three touchdowns.
Philo grew up near Athens
The Bulldogs were Philo’s rival at Georgia Tech, but he never had two one-score losses, including an eight-overtime game. In the spring, Philo said he hated UGA “a lot” and wanted to beat them “really bad.”
Philo became Georgia high school football’s all-time leader in passing yards (13,922) at Prince Ave Christian School, located 14 miles from Sanford Stadium.
“He grew up near the Athens area in Bogart,” UF junior center Harrison Moore said de Philo on Monday. “I talked to him this morning. He’s excited, he’s ready to go.”
Philo ranks seventh among SEC starting quarterbacks in passing yards per game (223.5) and overall PFF grade (82.1). He is currently the third best offensive player in Florida.
Jones made his first career start at Texas and led the Gators to a 27-24 victory. He threw for 155 yards on 22-of-35 passing with two touchdowns, no picks and 41 yards rushing.
Sumrall expressed confidence in Philo and Jones on Monday.
“Both guys played winning football at times. Both guys in their opportunities didn’t play well enough at times, but I believe in both of them. At this point, they both played enough that – and I’ve always said this all the time – I think we can win with either guy,” Sumrall said.
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