Florida’s quarterback picture is finally coming into focus, and the Gators also got a mixed bag elsewhere on their Friday availability report before Saturday’s showdown with Georgia in Atlanta.
No. 17 Florida listed six players on the report ahead of the 3:30 p.m.
ET kickoff against No. 3 Georgia, with wide receiver Vernell Brown III moving to questionable, quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. both upgraded to probable, and running back Duke Clark and linebacker Jaden Robinson ruled out.
Wide receiver Bailey Stockton was also upgraded to questionable.
The biggest development is at quarterback. After Swamp247 reported Wednesday that Philo had taken most of the first-team reps through the first three practices of the week while working back from a shoulder injury, reports surfaced Friday that he will return as Florida’s starter against Georgia.
Philo, a junior who transferred to UF from Georgia Tech this offseason, has completed 105 of 149 passes for 1,341 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also rushed for 161 sack-adjusted yards and three scores in six games as Florida’s starting quarterback.
Jones stepped in for him in Florida’s 27-24 win over Texas and handled his first collegiate start with poise, going 22 of 35 for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He has played in six games this season, completing 45 of 64 passes for 407 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding 75 sack-adjusted rushing yards.
Sumrall had kept things open earlier in the week, and on Monday he made it clear the decision would hinge on health and practice performance. Florida informed the quarterbacks after Friday’s practice, multiple sources told Swamp247.
"Both guys are available; believe in both guys," said Sumrall. "I'm not gonna name a starter today, like, I know that's probably been a big point of conversation.
Like, both, we need both of those guys ready to play. That's what I'll say.
And I do believe in both of them being ready to play."
Brown’s status remains one to watch. Florida’s starting slot receiver has missed the last three games with a knee strain suffered against Ole Miss in Week 4, and he has been listed as questionable every week since the injury. Sumrall said earlier in the week that Brown "looked like he was feeling pretty good" at Monday’s practice, and Friday brought more optimism, though a final call may not come until Saturday.
"VB looks really good. Practiced last week, practiced today; today is an hour-ish long run-through for us. But he looks normal to me," said Sumrall.
"I didn't ask him today - I'll put it like this, every day the last couple weeks when he's been running, I'm like, 'Hey, how you feeling today?' Because there's been some times I've wondered, 'That didn't look quite right today.'
He looked good enough; I didn't go up to him at all today and ask, 'Hey, how you feeling?' I just let him practice and he looked like he was feeling pretty good."
Even with the missed time, Brown is still Florida’s third-leading receiver with 17 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in four appearances.
Clark, meanwhile, has been out the last two games after injuring his foot against South Carolina. The change-of-pace back behind Jadan Baugh through the first six weeks, he has 265 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season.
Stockton and Robinson were new names on Florida’s Week 9 report. Stockton had been trending toward a possible absence, but he is still pushing to play and will be a game-time decision before kickoff.
He has 27 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. Robinson, who was also doubtful initially, has posted 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups across seven contests.
Georgia’s Friday report also included six players. Defensive back KJ Bolden and wide receiver Isiah Canion were listed as questionable, while running back Chauncey Bowens, wide receiver Thomas Blackshear, outside linebacker Amaris Williams and safety Tyriq Green were ruled out.
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Florida Suddenly Has A Bigger Vernell Brown Problem Than Expected
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Jon Sumralls update made the situation sound less like a routine game-day scratch and more like an issue Florida will have to monitor closely. Browns absence was felt in an offense that struggled in the game, and for a team trying to steady itself, the bigger concern now is whether this turns into more than a one-week problem. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes the outlook so interesting is how much of it hinges on one big offensive question rather than a simple talent comparison. The projection digs into early-down success, third-down execution and turnover chances, all of which point to a game flow that could tilt quickly depending on whether Florida can stay on schedule and keep its playmakers on the field. For a team trying to sort out its ceiling, this one feels like a test of both depth and timing. [Read more 🡒]