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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Nick Saban high on potential of new Florida football OC Buster Faulkner
Count Nick Saban as someone bullish on Florida football moving up the SEC standings in its first season under Jon Sumrall.
Saban, the legendary Alabama coach turned ESPN/SEC Network analyst, credited Sumrall for analyzing the issues the Florida Gators encountered last season in stumbling to a 4-8 record.
"He hired a great staff," Saban said at SEC Football Media days. "Both coordinators, offense and defense are really, really good. Buster Faulkner, I have a tremendous amount of respect for, coming from Georgia Tech . He did a fabulous job there. Nobody wants to play against his offensive style in terms of how he creates quarterback runs, how he can throw the ball, the balance."
Faulkner's offense at Georgia Tech ranked 11th nationally in total offense in 2025 (460.0 ypg) and was balanced, averaging 197.5 yards rushing and 262.5 yards passing.
Saban also is high on the potential of the quarterback that Faulkner brought with him from Georgia Tech, redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo, who is competing with redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. for the starting job at UF. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Philo passed for 938 yards and 2 TDs in two seasons under Faulkner with the Yellow Jackets as the backup quarterback to Haynes King.
"Aaron Philo is a perfect fit," Saban said. "I think he's a little bit underrated as a passer. He's a very intelligent guy, a good processor. So I think he is going to be a really good quarterback."
Florida is looking to revitalize an offense that ranked 104th nationally last season at 341.3 yards per game. There are some building blocks, including UF junior running back Jadan Baugh, who ranked third in the SEC in rushing last season with 1,170 yards. But Florida must rebuild an offensive line that lost three starters, including two-time All-American center Jake Slaugher and All-SEC left tackle Austin Barber.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Nick Saban high on potential of new Florida football OC Buster Faulkner
Nick SabanFloridaOC Buster FaulknerJon SumrallCount Nick SabanSECSabanAlabamaESPNSEC NetworkSumrallFlorida Gators
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