Florida head coach Jon Sumrall is not treating Byrum Brown like just another quarterback on the schedule.
With the Gators set to face Auburn this weekend and chase a 3-0 start, Sumrall spent part of the week zeroing in on the challenge Brown brings as a true dual-threat. Florida has already handled Florida Atlantic and Campbell at home, but this matchup sends the Gators into their first SEC game of the season.
Brown’s passing numbers through the season haven’t jumped off the page - he has 485 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions - but that only tells part of the story. He has added 115 rushing yards and a touchdown, and that ability to create outside the pocket is what makes him such a difficult assignment.
Sumrall has seen Brown before, including when he was at South Florida two years ago, but he believes the quarterback has taken a step forward since then.
"I think he's more polished as a quarterback. I think he sees the field a little bit better and cleaner; that comes with the experience.
That's any quarterback as you're maturing. I think he's a good player.
He's got arm talent to make throws all over the field. He's a big guy in stature.
He's a physical guy, and I think he's just playing with confidence because he's got a lot of time in this system. He's been in this offensive structure for a while now, and he's played a lot of football.
I mean, the guy's played a ton of snaps. There's no substitute for the experience he has and he's a poised player who -- not a lot that he hasn't seen," Sumrall said.
The last time the two crossed paths came in 2024, when Tulane beat South Florida 45-10. Brown finished that game with 134 passing yards, no touchdowns, negative-12 rushing yards and one rushing score.
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