If we rewind to this time last year, much of the literature surrounding Florida’s wide receiver room was around Dallas Wilson. It is funny looking back at it, considering Vernell Brown III was a literal top 50 overall prospect, but it felt like Wilson had the spotlight while Brown was somewhat in the shadows.
Then Wilson got hurt in training camp, Brown announced himself with a spectacular one-handed catch in Florida’s opener, and by the time the 2025 campaign finished, it was Brown who was the breakout freshman on offense for the Gators.
But as we all know, even though Brown had over 500 yards receiving in ten games played, the offense the Gators had last year wasn’t really optimized to showcase Brown. With a new offensive system in place, there is no telling what Brown could do for an encore in 2026.
Florida’s most obvious breakout candidate says he is ready now
During his appearance at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, Brown was asked about what makes the offense from new OC Buster Faulkner different from previous offenses he has played in. Brown’s response is exactly what Gator fans were clamoring for last year:
“Coach Faulkner is very personable. I love the personality that he has, and just how he creates his system around the players.
Obviously, he has experience in a number of different style of offenses, but I genuinely feel that his offense is whatever that puts his players in the best position to make plays.”
If we look back at the previous era with you know who, the common critique of the offense Florida fans had to endure over the past four years is that it was an offense built around what the coach wanted, not what made sense based on the personnel on the roster. Beyond Brown, the Gators had a deep cache of speedy receivers who thrived in space, and yet Florida insisted on clunky two-tight-end sets to try and smash-mouth teams.
And considering what we have learned about Florida’s strength program after the fact, it is comical that Florida tried to smash-mouth anyone.
So while some of this from Brown is just Media Days speak, the resume on Faulkner is that he has a history of doing just what Brown described.
Because the quiet confidence that Florida fans have heading into 2026 is that even if the offensive line isn’t up to par and even if Florida doesn’t have a five-star QB in the backfield, this offense is filled with playmakers across the board. And if Faulkner has ways to get those playmakers in space and get them the ball, don’t be shocked if Florida is putting up 30+ points a game in 2026.
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