Florida may have some timely help on the way before Saturday’s rivalry game against No. 3 Georgia, with Aaron Philo and Vernell Brown III both trending toward availability.
Both players were on the practice field Monday, and Jon Sumrall said at his press conference that each is moving in the right direction for the matchup. He also made it clear that practicing does not automatically mean either one will suit up.
Philo’s situation has been watched closely since he injured his throwing shoulder in Florida’s Week 5 loss to South Carolina. That setback kept him out of the Gators’ 27-24 upset win over Texas, when Tramell Jones Jr. stepped in after the Georgia Tech transfer was sidelined. Sumrall said Philo could have entered in an emergency situation.
“Both guys are available; I believe in both guys,” said Sumrall. “Not going to name a starter today - I know that's been a big point of conversation. We need both those guys to be ready to play, that's what I'll say, and I do believe in both of them being ready to play.”
Brown’s return would also matter for an offense that has been searching for more big plays. The Orlando native has missed the past three games after hurting his knee against Ole Miss on Sept.
- Before the injury, he had 17 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns, plus two punt-return touchdowns.
“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,” Sumrall added.
Jones is also managing injuries from his first career start against Texas, though he is expected to be available Saturday. In Austin, he went 22 of 35 for 155 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
For now, Florida’s quarterback picture is still unsettled. Sumrall said he will continue to evaluate both Philo and Jones before settling on a decision later in the week.
In Other News...
Florida Week Just Got More Interesting With This Gunner Stockton Take
Brad White knows Georgia well enough to appreciate what Gunner Stockton brings to the table, and the Kentucky defensive coordinator did not sound surprised by what he saw from the Bulldogs quarterback in a recent game. A former Georgia walk-on himself, White pointed to Stocktons ability to threaten defenses with both his arm and his legs, while also crediting the supporting cast around him. He noted the talent on Georgias offense and the quality up front, two things that have made life difficult for opposing defenses all season.
Whites comments only add another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight, especially with Florida coming up next. From his perspective, the challenge is as much about surviving Georgias versatility as it is about slowing down one player, and he said he wants his Florida defense to be better prepared when that game arrives. For Georgia, it is another reminder that Stocktons presence is becoming harder for opponents to dismiss, even before the rivalry stage gets any bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Brooks Defends Georgia-Florida Decision Fans Have Been Debating
The debate over where Georgia-Florida should be played has been simmering ever since Jacksonvilles stadium renovations forced the rivalry onto a different stage, and Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks is now laying out why the program went along with the change. Brooks said the decision to keep the game at neutral sites came down to a mix of revenue, competitive balance and tradition, with the broader value of the matchup extending beyond one season or one venue.
Kirby Smart has made clear he would prefer more home games at Sanford Stadium, but the Bulldogs are also weighing the long-term benefits that come with neutral-site arrangements, including financial support from host cities and the chance to preserve one of college footballs most familiar settings. For now, the series shifts to Mercedes-Benz Stadium under a two-year relocation agreement before moving back to Jacksonville, leaving Georgia still navigating the same question fans keep asking: whether the tradeoff is worth it. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Knows This Florida Matchup Could Get Uncomfortable Fast
Buster Faulkner arrives with a familiarity that makes this week a little more interesting than the usual SEC East crossover. Floridas offensive coordinator spent time at both Georgia Tech and Georgia, so he has seen enough of Georgia up close to understand the rhythm of the program, the coaching style and the kind of problems that can still be created even when the talent gap is obvious.
Georgia did beat Georgia Tech every time Faulkner was on staff there, but those games were not always comfortable, which is part of why his presence matters here. Florida gets a coordinator who has already spent years around winning football in this state, and Georgia gets an opponent that may be able to lean on that inside knowledge as it shapes the plan for Saturday. [Read more 🡒]