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The Florida Gators had their turn at the 2026 SEC football media days on Wednesday, headlined by new head coach Jon Sumrall, who was joined by three of his standout players in Tampa.
The last player who spoke at the event on behalf of the Orange and Blue was legacy wide receiver Vernell Brown III, a rising sophomore native to the Gainesville area whose freshman campaign took the Gator Nation by storm. He played in 10 games last season — starting in six — and served not only as a receiver, but also the primary punt and kick returner for most of the year.
Brown's efforts earned him All-SEC honors thanks to his team-leading 40 receptions for 512 yards while adding another 261 yards in the return game. In doing so, he became the first Gator true freshman in program history to lead the team in catches and receiving yards.
Below is an abridged look at what Brown had to say when his turn came up at the event on Wednesday.
Coach Sumrall has had first-year success wherever he's been. How's that going to bleed over at Florida?
"I can't really speak to results of games. But I will say that the whole team is putting in the work and we all believe in what we can do and our capabilities. So I think we're doing everything that we can to make sure we're in the best position to have those results."
What are the individual goals that you're aspiring to make the team goals happen?
"I just want to go out there and be the best player I can be every game. Like I say, the results, the stats and all that is a byproduct of the work. So just going in and putting in the work and winning each day. That way, when opportunities present itself, I'm prepared."
How exciting is Dallas Wilson's return to fall camp?
"It's been really good to see Dallas go through his process after he was battling the injury. But just to see him go throughout that process and become healthy and be back for the season, man, it's exciting."
What is it like playing for the same team that your dad, uncle and grandfather played for? How are you living up to their legacy?
"It means everything. Being a kid from Gainesville, having that Florida Gator legacy and deciding to come to the University of Florida and wear the same jerseys in the same stadium and locker room that they were in, it means everything.
"Obviously they set a legacy before me, and I'm doing everything that I can to uphold their legacy and also create my own legacy for myself and take our legacy to a new level."
How badly do you want to put Florida back on the SEC radar? And how far off is the program from getting there?
"I can't really speak to how far off we are. Like I said, I know we're putting in the work to be the best we can on Saturdays.
"I definitely think we are flying under the radar. Florida, obviously, in the early 2000s, Florida was the program, the standard. And we're doing everything we can to get back to that."
Where do you feel your game currently stands compared to that final snap against Florida State last season?
"I feel like my game has risen to a whole new level. Obviously, I've had a whole offseason to continue to develop and improve as a player, and I feel like I'm fully prepared for week one. And I'm continuing to win the days and, like I say, put in the work to be the best player I can be."
Saturday, September night in Gainesville. It's hot and humid. You're standing in the tunnel again. Everybody's out doing the chomp. You still getting goosebumps?
"Yeah, for sure. I feel like The Swamp is unlike any other environment. And every time I'm in the Swamp, it feels like a dream."
Staff wants to move you around and use you in many ways different ways. How are you embracing the new look offense and those new roles?
"Just learning everything. That way when they do move me to whatever spots, there's no drop-off, there's no question. I'm fully confident that I'll be able to do my job and knowing what my job is.
"And also from a leadership standpoint, learning everything that, with the younger guys or the guys that may have any questions, I'm a guy that they can come to for anything, and I'll be able to answer it for them."
How hungry are you for that first touchdown? Did you think that one against FSU was a catch?
"They ruled it not a catch. So ultimately it wasn't a catch. But, like I say, I'm just putting in the work to be the best player I can be, and I'll be sure that I'm ready when the opportunity presents itself."
Who are some of the older veterans on the team that you look up to on and off the field to succeed in this tough conference?
"Two of the guys that are here, Myles Graham and Jadan Baugh, this will be their third year with the program. So they've had two years of experience, and guys who have that experience that I can lean on and ask questions who's in similar positions that I'm in."
Can you talk to us a little bit just how difficult that SEC schedule grind is?
"I think that's what you join the conference for, right? SEC, any given Saturday is known as arguably the best conference in the country. I feel like it's the best conference in the country.
"But you know what you signed up for when you commit to play for an SEC school. So, I mean, I love it personally. I'm looking forward to it."
Going into your second season with the Gators, how do you think your role has changed as a leader within the locker room?
"I definitely feel like guys look to me more as a leader, for sure. Just having that experience, being somebody that's made plays on Saturdays and being that vocal leader throughout the offseason. So I definitely think that I'm going to have to continue embracing those roles as we go into the season."
What is it about Buster Faulkner that stands out compared to other offensive coordinators you've played under?
"One, I haven't played for very many. But Coach Faulkner is very personable. I love the personability that he has, and just how he creates his system around the players.
"Obviously, he has experience in a number of different styles of offenses, but I genuinely feel that his offense is whatever that puts his players in the best position to make plays."
Jadan said that the coaching staff coached like it's their last day. How does that carry over to the rest of the team?
"I think their approach to it definitely bleeds into the team. And just having those coaches that you know love you and it makes you want to play harder for not only them, but for the team and the program as well."
Unless somebody's played football, it's hard to explain what culture is. What's the culture at Florida?
"I definitely think we have a really great culture. Since Coach Sumrall and his staff have been here, they've done a really good job implementing it. And as players, it's our job to uphold that culture and standard.
"If we're lacking, it's our job as leaders to bring the guys who are not quite there along and make sure that we're in the best position."
Your new jersey number reflects significant history and expectations. How does that reflect your growth as a player?
"Number one has always been a goal for me just because of what you said, like, the expectation and what it means at the University of Florida. Just to be able to earn that number has been amazing. Now I'm doing everything that I can to uphold that standard."
With Florida being so deep in your bloodstream, at the end of the third quarter when they crank Tom Petty, do you sing along? And what does that mean to you?
"Yeah, of course, I sing along every time. You know, I know the song word for word. I didn't know it before I got there, but I was always mumbling it.
"But I mean it just means everything. Just everything about the Swamp, the Florida Gator brand, Florida Gator football and the University of Florida in general means everything."
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida WR Vernell Brown III speaks at 2026 SEC football media days
