Jon Sumrall made it clear he wanted Vernell Brown III back at Florida, and after two weeks, it’s easy to see why.
Brown has already become the kind of player defenses have to account for in multiple ways. In Florida’s 52-3 win over Campbell, he wasn’t just a weapon at receiver - he was a problem every time the ball found his hands.
Brown scored twice on punt returns, finished with four returns for more than 43 yards per attempt, and added three catches for 43 yards and another touchdown. It was the kind of all-over-the-field performance that can tilt a game in a hurry.
That followed a strong Week 1 showing, when Brown caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Through two games, he’s made it obvious that he can hurt opponents as a pass-catcher, as a return man, and in just about any role Florida asks him to fill.
His punt return outburst also forced everyone on the schedule to take a harder look at kicking away from him. Brown’s speed and explosiveness turned special teams into a real scoring threat, and his night in the blowout was the latest reminder that Florida has a player who can flip field position - or the scoreboard - in one touch.
There was some planning behind the breakout, too. Sumrall said special teams analyst Greg McMahon helped install a new wrinkle on the punt return that created the space Brown needed.
"On both punt returns we actually had blocks called. So, what we were trying to do is maybe get them to try to hold the front guys a little longer and knowing that was going to give VB a little more room to operate," Sumrall said in his postgame press conference.
"Sometimes the biggest returns happen on punt blocks. It's nice to see us execute those plays well."
Brown’s versatility fits neatly into Buster Faulkner’s offense. He can take a short throw and turn it into a big gain, work outside and threaten downfield, and now give Florida another dangerous option on special teams. He’s also had some success on the few hand-offs he’s received, which only adds to the sense that he can be used in a variety of ways.
The comparison that comes to mind is Jacquez Green, the Florida standout from the 1990s. Steve Spurrier wasn’t shy about moving Green around, even giving him snaps at quarterback. Green also remains the last Gator to score touchdowns on back-to-back punt returns, doing it in 1996 against Kentucky.
Brown’s return to Florida came with more than just football reasons. He wanted to keep the family line going in Gainesville, following the path his father, Vernell Jr., and grandfather, Vernell Sr., helped establish. He also bought into Sumrall’s vision and Faulkner’s scheme, and so far that belief has been rewarded.
Florida said Brown would be put in position to succeed. Two weeks in, that promise has already shown up in a big way.
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Floridas SEC Opener Just Got More Concerning For This Gators Playmaker
Eric Singletons status is giving Florida another issue to sort through as it heads into its SEC opener against Auburn. The Gators receiver has been limited in practice while working back from an ankle injury, and coach Jon Sumrall said he is not yet guaranteed to play. Singleton has already missed games because of the injury, leaving Florida without one of its pass-catching options as the league schedule begins to tighten.
A return for Auburn would obviously help, but the more realistic question is whether Singleton can be ready to contribute without being rushed. Florida is at least keeping alive the possibility that he could be back for the Ole Miss game on Sept. 26, which gives the Gators a little more time to manage the situation. For now, though, his availability is one of the more notable injury watch items hanging over the weekend. [Read more 🡒]
Eric Singleton Jr Brings Major Suspense To Floridas Auburn Test
Floridas preparation for Auburn has come with a dose of uncertainty, and it starts with Eric Singleton Jr. The receiver, who transferred to Gainesville from Auburn, has been sidelined by an ankle injury sustained in Week 1, and head coach Jon Sumrall said both Singleton and defensive lineman Emmanuel Oyebadejo were limited in practice this week. The encouraging part for Florida is that both players are out of their walking boots, a sign they are moving in the right direction as the Gators get closer to kickoff.
Still, the bigger question is whether either will actually be available when Florida lines up against Auburn. Sumrall called both questionable, which leaves the Gators waiting on two players who could affect the game in very different ways, especially Singleton against the school he just left. For a Florida team trying to sort out its lineup late in the week, the uncertainty is enough to keep this matchup feeling a little more tense than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Floridas Young Stars Just Changed The Feel Of This Offense
Floridas offense looked different in the 52-3 rout of Campbell because some of its youngest playmakers took over the afternoon. Vernell Brown III made his presence felt in more ways than one, piling up 219 punt return yards and scoring twice on special teams while also adding a receiving touchdown, while Dallas Wilson led the receivers with 104 yards and a score. Jadan Baugh added another layer to the attack, rushing for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard burst that showed just how quickly this group can flip a game.
Aaron Philo also fit cleanly into the mix, completing 16 of 21 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score of his own. For Florida, the bigger takeaway may be less about the opponent and more about the sense that the offense has found a handful of young options who can change field position, stretch defenses and create explosive plays in different ways. [Read more 🡒]