Adam RittenbergJan 6, 2026, 11:31 AM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on X
Sumrall gets approval from Spurrier, Meyer as new Florida coach (0:58)Andrea Adelson reports on Jon Sumrall’s introductory news conference with the Florida Gators. (0:58)
Adam RittenbergJan 6, 2026, 11:31 AM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on XOpen Extended ReactionsFlorida has signed Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, as the Gators’ offense takes shape under new coach Jon Sumrall.Philo, a redshirt freshman who spent the past two years at Georgia Tech and was projected to be the Yellow Jackets’ starter in 2026, follows offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to Gainesville. Faulkner recruited and coached Philo at Georgia Tech.Also, starting running back Jadan Baugh, who rushed for 1,170 yards, averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored 10 total touchdowns this past season, announced Tuesday that he’s returning to the Gators.A three-star recruit from Bogart, Georgia, Philo played significantly in 2024 while Georgia Tech starter Haynes King dealt with injuries, throwing for 565 yards and five touchdowns in five games while rushing for 76 yards and another score.This past season, Philo made his first career start in Week 2 against Gardner-Webb and completed 21 of 28 passes for 373 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was ranked as the No. 12 quarterback in the transfer portal by ESPN.The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Philo appeared in only one other game last fall and will come to Florida with three years of eligibility. The Gators are seeking to replace DJ Lagway, who started the majority of games the past two seasons but entered the portal last week.Florida also is adding Georgia Tech wide receiver transfer Bailey Stockton, who had 21 receptions for 233 yards last season and was a high school teammate of Philo.Baugh, who has two years of eligibility remaining, started every game in the 2025 season after emerging as a starter in 2024. He has 1,843 career rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, with 243 receiving yards and three more scores.
Florida has signed Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, as the Gators’ offense takes shape under new coach Jon Sumrall.
Philo, a redshirt freshman who spent the past two years at Georgia Tech and was projected to be the Yellow Jackets’ starter in 2026, follows offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to Gainesville. Faulkner recruited and coached Philo at Georgia Tech.
Also, starting running back Jadan Baugh, who rushed for 1,170 yards, averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored 10 total touchdowns this past season, announced Tuesday that he’s returning to the Gators.
A three-star recruit from Bogart, Georgia, Philo played significantly in 2024 while Georgia Tech starter Haynes King dealt with injuries, throwing for 565 yards and five touchdowns in five games while rushing for 76 yards and another score.
This past season, Philo made his first career start in Week 2 against Gardner-Webb and completed 21 of 28 passes for 373 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was ranked as the No. 12 quarterback in the transfer portal by ESPN.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Philo appeared in only one other game last fall and will come to Florida with three years of eligibility. The Gators are seeking to replace DJ Lagway, who started the majority of games the past two seasons but entered the portal last week.
Florida also is adding Georgia Tech wide receiver transfer Bailey Stockton, who had 21 receptions for 233 yards last season and was a high school teammate of Philo.
Baugh, who has two years of eligibility remaining, started every game in the 2025 season after emerging as a starter in 2024. He has 1,843 career rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, with 243 receiving yards and three more scores.
Sumrall gets approval from Spurrier, Meyer as new Florida coach (0:58)Andrea Adelson reports on Jon Sumrall’s introductory news conference with the Florida Gators. (0:58)
Andrea Adelson reports on Jon Sumrall’s introductory news conference with the Florida Gators. (0:58)
CloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Follow on X