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As Florida football prepares for its first season under Jon Sumrall, its highly anticipated offense is already earning some preseason hardware.
Wide receiver and one of the faces of this era of the program, Vernell Brown III, has been named to the 2026 Jet Award Preseason Watchlist heading into the 2026 season. With expectations continuing to rise across national media, one of the Gators' top playmakers is already receiving positive attention before the season starts.
The award that highlights the most outstanding return specialist in college football features 20 honorees make the list, placing Brown III as one of the nation's top special teams threats.
The freshman standout made an immediate impact last season, leading the Gators with 512 receiving yards and finishing second on the team to Jadan Baugh in all-purpose yards with 774. Nearly 34% of his production came from special teams, totaling 262 yards, of which were return yards on 20 total return attempts, showcasing why he deserved to make this list.
As Florida leans on Brown III for larger offensive production, it will depend on him equally as much to produce on special teams. The Gainesville native will look to help restore the Gators to glory every way he can.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football's Vernell Brown III named to Jet Award Watchlist
Continue reading...
Wide receiver and one of the faces of this era of the program, Vernell Brown III, has been named to the 2026 Jet Award Preseason Watchlist heading into the 2026 season. With expectations continuing to rise across national media, one of the Gators' top playmakers is already receiving positive attention before the season starts.
The award that highlights the most outstanding return specialist in college football features 20 honorees make the list, placing Brown III as one of the nation's top special teams threats.
Vernell Brown III's 2025 season stats
The freshman standout made an immediate impact last season, leading the Gators with 512 receiving yards and finishing second on the team to Jadan Baugh in all-purpose yards with 774. Nearly 34% of his production came from special teams, totaling 262 yards, of which were return yards on 20 total return attempts, showcasing why he deserved to make this list.
As Florida leans on Brown III for larger offensive production, it will depend on him equally as much to produce on special teams. The Gainesville native will look to help restore the Gators to glory every way he can.
2026 Jet Award Preseason Watchlist
- Vernell Brown III, Wide Receiver, Florida
- Malachi Toney, Wide Receiver, Miami
- Chris Barnes, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State
- Solomon Beebe, Running Back, Virginia
- Chauncy Cobb, Wide Receiver, Arkansas State
- Da'Realyst Clark, Wide Receiver, Kent State
- Derrick Eley, Wide Receiver, Charlotte
- Ian Foster, Cornerback, Southern Miss
- TK King, Wide Receiver, New Mexico State
- Ryan Niblett, RB/WR, Texas
- Kenny Johnson, Wide Receiver, Texas Tech
- Cameron Pettaway, Running Back, Iowa State
- Jayshon Platt, Wide Receiver, Illinois
- Koi Perich, Defensive Back, Oregon
- Rayshawn Pleasant, Cornerback, Auburn
- Dev'ion Reynolds, Cornerback, Northern Illinois
- Isaiah Sategna III, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
- Kam Shanks, Wide Receiver, Wake Forest
- Vicari Swain, Defensive Back, South Carolina
- Jacory Barney Jr., Wide Reciever, Nebraska
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football's Vernell Brown III named to Jet Award Watchlist
Continue reading...
