Gators Notebook: Jones’ Surge Earned Him QB2 Role, Brown Not Your Typical Freshman, More Tidbits
Gators head coach Billy Napier provided a hint late in preseason camp when he described Jones’ play as “buzz-worthy,” but the battle between Jones, Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey and redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner remained open in the final days leading up to No. 15 Florida’s 55-0 victory over Long Island.
Napier informed the masses late Saturday night what allowed Jones, a former standout at Mandarin High in Jacksonville and once a Florida State commit, to climb the depth chart.
“Tramell has earned the job,” Napier said. “He’s really had a strong surge the last few weeks. As he got healthy, and we started to give him more reps with the first and second unit, he just kept getting better. He’s a pure passer. He can really throw it. He’s got velocity on the ball. The spin rate is impressive, and then he’s a very accurate quarterback.”
After the Gators ran three straight running plays once Jones took over, he then completed three consecutive passes to TJ Abrams (21 yards), Muizz Tounkara (four yards) and KD Daniels (three yards) to kick-start an impressive performance. Jones finished 12 of 18 for 131 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Tony Livingston on a 4-yard touchdown and Taylor Spierto for an 11-yard score.
Jones added 14 yards rushing on five carries and showed no signs of limitations from a leg injury that cost him most of his senior season in high school.
“You can see he’s got some savvy, made a few plays with his feet,” Napier said.
To help Jones get acclimated in his college debut, Napier mixed the lineup with veterans and newcomers when Jones took over for starter DJ Lagway.
“We went into the deal trying to get control of the game and get DJ out, get him some good work, and we started the half with some pieces around [Tramell] to try to give him the opportunity to be successful,” Napier said. “And then we have a lot of twos who are really good players. We got a lot of those rotational players in the game. It’s one of the benefits of a game like that is that the play counts don’t get too high, and you get a chance to play some of these.
“There’s no substitute for playing in a game. I think he’ll be better next time.”
Lagway, who threw for 120 yards and three scores in his return to action after an offseason hampered by various injuries, liked what he saw from the 6-foot, 203-pound Jones.
“Man, I’m so proud of him,” Lagway said. “I’m so excited for his journey. He’s going to be a heck of a player.”
BROWN’S BEAUTY
Freshman receiver Vernell Brown III generated his share of buzz in preseason camp, too. He showed the sold-out crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium why.
Brown became the first true freshman to start the season opener since offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor in 2016, and joined Percy Harvin (2006) and Antonio Callaway (2015) as the only rookie receivers to start a UF opener.
He didn’t disappoint. Brown caught three passes for 79 yards – a program record for a true freshman making his first career start – and contributed 45 yards on three punt returns while adding a 25-yard kickoff return.
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 31, 2025
But Brown’s best play was his one-handed, 41-yard reception from Lagway in the second quarter. As Brown gained separation from the Long Island defender, he turned his back to the end zone as the ball sailed in his direction. Back-pedaling, Jones jumped, reached out with his right hand and hauled in the highlight-worthy catch as he crashed to the turf.
The crowd went wild, and Brown’s catch instantly went viral on social media.
“That was incredible,” linebacker Myles Graham said afterward. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Napier said people will be talking about the catch for a long time. He will be talking a lot about Brown this season if the newcomer continues to make plays like that.
“He’s a great competitor,” Napier said. “He’s obviously skilled, but I think more importantly, he’s got a certain maturity level, and you could see tonight. It’s not too big for him.”
QUOTE OF NOTE
“I feel like we didn’t play the Gator brand of football offensively. I feel like we ran the ball really well. Kudos to Jadan Baugh. He did really well. Offensively, the pass game, I got to do better, and it starts with me.” — Gators QB DJ Lagway on Florida’s slow offensive start
QUOTE OF NOTE II
“We like to make those field goals, obviously. But we all know Trey Smack and what type of competitor he is, and he’ll be back at his best here soon.” — Gators head coach Billy Napier on kicker Trey Smack’s 2-for-5 performance
EXTRA POINTS
The Gators have won five consecutive games dating to last season, tying with Ohio State, Illinois, Memphis and Air Force for the longest active streak among FBS programs … Safety Bryce Thornton opened the scoring with a 37-yard fumble recovery touchdown on LIU’s first drive. The play marked Florida’s first fumble recovery for a touchdown since 2019 … Smack’s career-long 56-yard field goal in the first half put the Gators up 17-0. He connected from 41 yards in the second half. However, he missed kicks of 40, 39, and 57 yards … The Gators pitched their first shutout in 46 games, their last one coming in 2021 against Vanderbilt (42-0) … The Gators did not commit a penalty for only the second time in program history. Their first penalty-free performance came against LSU in 2021 … Walk-on receiver Spierto, a fifth-year senior, found the end zone for the first time. His 11-yard touchdown catch from Jones in the final moments was the fourth catch and first touchdown of his career. “The guy made a memory tonight that he’ll remember the rest of his life. Pretty special,” Napier said … Jones and Brown were among the 13 true freshmen who made their college debuts against the Sharks of the Northeast Conference … The victory was the 60th of Napier’s career as he improved to 20-19 in his fourth season with the Gators … Baugh’s 109-yard output on nine carries was his second career 100-yard game. He went for 106 in last season’s win over Kentucky … Florida’s defense limited LIU to two first downs, 86 total yards and 1-for-13 on third-down conversions; Graham and edge rusher Kamran James shared the team lead with five tackles apiece.
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