Florida football is winning over the nation, including legendary coach Nick Saban. The Gators and new coach Jon Sumrall now have No. 25 Missouri to tangle with. But Vernell Brown III hit Florida with an unfortunate update.
Brown earned a doubtful label for the road showdown in SEC country, with ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel providing the update Friday.
The returning Gators wideout provided one of the few highlights of the Billy Napier era last season. Brown caught an epic one-handed reception in Aug. 2025 against Long Island University in Gainesville.
Brown opted to stay at Florida despite the coaching change and handed the former Tulane coach a chance. Sumrall has since changed the culture right away, including trouncing previous No. 4 Ole Miss last Saturday. Florida has since sparked early SEC title and College Football Playoff conversations in Gainesville.
Brown has caught 17 passes for 271 yards and scored two touchdowns so far this season. He's also averaging 15.9 yards per catch. He delivered a six-catch, 117-yard outing against Florida Atlantic University to start the year.
Florida birthed a new star too next to Brown. Running back Jaden Baugh has emerged as a ne...