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Vernell Brown III led Florida in receiving yards last season in his first year with the Gators, making history by becoming the first true freshman in program history to earn All-SEC honors at three different positions in a single season.
Yet, despite a record-breaking 2025 campaign, Brown was left off of CBS Sports' second-year stars list. The outlet highlighted several talented rising sophomores with the potential for breakout years, particularly those with the chance to elevate playoff contenders.
Brown enters 2026 as one of the team's most important players and the former four-star prospect is expected to play an even bigger role this season in Buster Faulkner's revitalized offense. He is primed to turn the flashes he showed as a freshman into sustained excellence as part of one of the most talented pass-catching units in the SEC.
The Gainesville, Florida, native's 773 all-purpose yards ranked second among all true freshman wide receivers, highlighting his versatility and impact — a big reason many feel he'll continue improving.
The omission of Brown in the shadow of his stellar first season with the Gators, coupled with the program's ascension into the College Football Playoff conversation, left some experts puzzled, but the 19-year-old will have an opportunity to silence doubters come this fall.
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: CBS Sports sophomore breakout list omits Florida's Vernell Brown III
Continue reading...
Yet, despite a record-breaking 2025 campaign, Brown was left off of CBS Sports' second-year stars list. The outlet highlighted several talented rising sophomores with the potential for breakout years, particularly those with the chance to elevate playoff contenders.
Brown enters 2026 as one of the team's most important players and the former four-star prospect is expected to play an even bigger role this season in Buster Faulkner's revitalized offense. He is primed to turn the flashes he showed as a freshman into sustained excellence as part of one of the most talented pass-catching units in the SEC.
The Gainesville, Florida, native's 773 all-purpose yards ranked second among all true freshman wide receivers, highlighting his versatility and impact — a big reason many feel he'll continue improving.
The omission of Brown in the shadow of his stellar first season with the Gators, coupled with the program's ascension into the College Football Playoff conversation, left some experts puzzled, but the 19-year-old will have an opportunity to silence doubters come this fall.
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: CBS Sports sophomore breakout list omits Florida's Vernell Brown III
Continue reading...
