Florida Gets Big Dylan Stewart News Before South Carolina Game
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The Florida Gators entered Week 6 not knowing if wide receiver Vernell Brown III would be available to play the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday.
Per the SEC availability report, Brown is listed as questionable to play the Gamecocks. Running back Landon Montgomery is probable to play. Cornerback Dijon Johnson is probable to play.
Heading into the week, it was unclear if South Carolina would play star defensive lineman Dylan Stewart on Saturday. Stewart served a one-game suspension during USC's loss to Kentucky last week after he threw a punch at an Alabama player on Sept. 26 during the Gamecocks' loss to the Crimson Tide.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Stewart is set to play against Florida.
Stewart is the most important player on the Gamecocks, and a likely first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The defensive end has had a quiet start to the season, with just one tackle that came against Mississippi State on Sept. 19.
Through his first two seasons with South Carolina, Stewart recorded 36 tackles, three passes defensed, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles. The six-foot-five, 250-pound defensive end will be a huge boost for the 2-3 Gamecocks defense on Saturday.
Florida's offensive line struggled in its 45-17 loss to Missouri in Week 5. The Gators gave up three sacks, making quarterback Aaron Philo feel the heat in the passing game. He finished with 197 yards passing and one touchdown.
But the Gators’ running offense, which has been the pride of the unit this season, only managed 42 yards on 25 attempts. Star running back Jadan Baugh was limited to 13 yards on 12 carries.
Stewart was USC's best chance to have a strong front seven for Saturday's game.
Florida is trying to get things right on Saturday.
The Gators were one of the most impressive teams in college football through the first four weeks, including pulling a 52–28 upset of Ole Miss in Week 4. But problems that plagued them in September cost them against Missouri.
With No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Georgia coming up after the USC game, the Gators need to use Saturday's contest against South Carolina as a way to get back on track before playing two of the most important SEC games on their schedule.
Florida must limit penalties, showing discipline. The secondary has been an issue all season, and the Gators must find a way to shut down LaNorris Sellers.
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