The Florida Gators got an encouraging sign Wednesday on Vernell Brown III, but the freshman receiver is still not fully in the clear for Saturday’s homecoming game against South Carolina.
Brown III, who sat out last week’s loss to Missouri with a knee injury, was listed as questionable on the SEC’s initial availability report. Under SEC guidelines, that gives him a 50 percent chance to play.
Head coach Jon Sumrall said earlier in the week that Brown III had already been running in practice, with Wednesday serving more as a “recovery day.” Sumrall sounded upbeat about where the receiver stands.
"He looks a lot better," Sumrall said. "...
He seems really optimistic. Like I've told you guys, a lot of it is just his confidence and if he's able to go play.
He seemed a lot more confident today than I've seen him in the last week and a half. So, that's encouraging."
Brown III’s injury dates back to the second quarter of Florida’s win over Ole Miss two weeks ago, when he suffered a low-grade sprain and did not return. An MRI the next day showed no long-term damage, but Florida held him out against Missouri anyway. Without him, the Gators dropped that game 45-17.
Sumrall made it clear Monday that Brown III’s status hinges largely on how he feels mentally as much as physically.
"At this point with him, it's up to just his level of confidence in being able to do it, but he's trending positively," he said. "What does that mean for Saturday?
I don't know yet. But he has the ability to run, but he's just got to see how confident he is in cutting it loose.”
Brown III is second on the team in receptions with 17, receiving yards with 271 and receiving touchdowns with two, all behind Dallas Wilson.
Florida’s first report also included running back/kick returner London Montgomery as questionable, while corner Dijon Johnson and safety Bryce Thornton were both listed as probable. Thornton was dealing with a soft tissue issue in his lower body that popped up during pregame warmups last week and kept him out.
"He’s got a really good shot at being available, just depends on how he feels as he goes in the week," Sumrall said on Monday.
Players labeled probable are given a 75 percent chance to play.
Florida will release updated availability reports on Thursday and Friday around 8:10 p.m., followed by a gameday report Saturday at approximately 11:15 a.m. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. on SEC Network.
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