Vernell Brown III’s possible return, slowing LaNorris Sellers among questions vs South Carolina
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GAINESVILLE — The No. 16 Gators will look to bounce back from a stunning no-show at Missouri when struggling South Carolina visits the Swamp during homecoming, trying to salvage their season.
The Gamecocks (2-3, 0-3 SEC) arrive with coach Shane Beamer squarely on the hot seat and star defensive end Dylan Stewart back at practice from a one-game suspension, but not yet cleared to play. Meanwhile, dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers is coming off his best game of 2026.
Florida (4-1, 2-1) has its own concerns after scoring a season-low 17 points during a 28-point loss and allowing 560 yards to Missouri.
Questions abound on both sides, with these among them:
Can Gators’ offense stay on schedule?
Buster Faulkner’s attack was behind the chains all day against the Tigers.
The Gators converted on third-and-13 on their opening drive before settling for a field goal, and executed on third-and-14 on the opening series of the second half before failing from the same distance in the same drive while trailing, 20-10.
Otherwise, Florida failed seven times on third down when needing at least nine yards, including on third-and-22 on the Gators’ third series, third-and-18 when trailing, 30-10, in the third quarter and third-and-21 with Missouri leading, 45-10.
Left in obvious passing situations, quarterback Aaron Philo was under duress and unable to find receivers, while lacking the dynamic playmaking ability to create offense on his own.
Philo entered the day the SEC’s third-rated passer while tailback Jadan Baugh led the SEC in rushing. Sophomore Vernell Brown III led the Gators in receiving. But Missouri bottled up Baugh, who finished with 13 yards on 12 carries, Philo finished with a season-low 120.1 rating, Brown sat out with a knee injury and veteran receiver Eric Singleton still was not 100% from an ankle injury sustained during the season opener.
Left without key weapons and the offensive line breaking down, Florida’s offense repeatedly found itself in third-and-long situations few teams could overcome.
“We’re not built for that right now,” Faulkner said. “We were off schedule all day, no rhythm.”
Against South Carolina, the Gators have to execute on early downs — or else.
Will Brown be back?
Coach Jon Sumrall said Brown was “optimistic” Wednesday he’d return. He ran Tuesday, but has yet to fully participate in practice.
“We’ll give him a little bit of a run Thursday and Friday,” Sumrall said during the SEC teleconference. “Just saw him though … he seemed a lot more confident today than I’ve seen him in the last week and a half. So, that’s encouraging.”
Brown, who has 17 catches for 271 yards, can separate in coverage better than any Florida pass-catcher and can turn a screen pass into six points. He’s also a threat to score as a punt returner; he returned two punts for scores Sept. 12 against Campbell.
Meanwhile, Singleton continues to improve. On Wednesday, GPS timing clocked him running 22 mph.
“Both of those guys are trending upward right now from maybe where they’ve been,” Sumrall said.
Does Florida contain trio of Sellers, Stewart and Nyck Harbor?
The Gators’ porous defense faces a monumental task slowing Sellers.
The bloom is off the rose since his breakout 2024 season elevated him into the conversation surrounding future No. 1 NFL draft picks. Despite his inconsistent play and struggles with accuracy, the 6-foot-3, 238-pound Sellers can beat defenses with arm and feet. During the Kentucky loss he passed for 226 yards and two scores while rushing for 147, the most since his 166-yard, two-touchdown day during a 2024 upset of rival Clemson.
The Gators will have to fill their gaps and gang tackle or they could be Sellers’ latest victim.
Having twice faced Sellers while at Kentucky, Gators’ defensive coordinator Brad White is bracing for the challenge.
“He is as talented a physical quarterback as I’ve played against in my career,” White said. “He’s a guy that’s a 600-pound squatter, huge legs, guys fall off. If you watch the tape, very rarely does he actually go on the ground. He is big, he’s strong, he’s fast. He’s got a live arm, talented wideouts to throw to.”
The 6-foot-5, 239-pound Harbor is a physical freak himself. Timed in 10.2 seconds running the 100 meters in high school, Harbor is off to a slow start in 2026. A season after he averaged 20.6 yards and scored six times on 30 catches, he has 13 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown.
Florida’s cornerbacks, though, are vulnerable, having been on their heels much of the season.
“He puts his arms up, and it feels like he’s 10 feet,” White said. “You got to be a dog and you got to play through the arms, play through the catch point. We’ve got to be violent.”
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Stewart’s status is unclear, but he’s looking to get on track after missing the first three games with an injury. Once considered a top-10 pick, the former 5-star prospect had 11 sacks the past two seasons.
Given the Gators’ struggles up front at Missouri, Stewart will be licking his chops if Beamer clears him to play.
If S. Carolina builds a lead, can they keep it?
The Gamecocks have enjoyed their share of fast starts and late collapses under Beamer.
This season, his team led Mississippi State, 16-0, and lost, 41-34. Last weekend, a 17-0 lead against Kentucky ended during a 35-34 gut punch in overtime at home when the Wildcats converted a game-winning two-point conversion.
The loss continued a disturbing, frustrating trend.
South Carolina led in its past five SEC games, all losses. The Gamecocks led Alabama 22-14 but lost. The most egregious defeat was at Texas A&M, where Beamer’s squad led an eventual College Football Playoff team, 30-3, and fell, 31-30.
If the Gamecocks get ahead early Saturday, the Gators should remain confident the momentum eventually will swing in their favor.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next
What: South Carolina (2-3, 0-3 SEC) at No 16 UF (3-1, 0-1)
When: 12:45 p.m., Saturday
Where:Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
TV: SEC Network
Favorite: Florida by 13.5 points
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