![Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) runs during fall football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4183,h_2352/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/213/01kwph4kegkb2tqcet68.jpg "Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) runs during fall football practice at Heavener Football Complex at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
It’s the 4th of July, and most Gator fans are going to fall into one of two categories. Either you will be one who makes things go boom into the wee hours of the night, or you will be making a Facebook post about your neighbors who are still making things go boom at 2 AM.
In the spirit of the holiday, we thought we would look at the five most “explosive” players on Florida’s roster for the 2026 season. These aren’t necessarily the “best” players, but these are the players who have a burst to them that fans will take notice of when they are on the field this season.
Most explosive players for Florida in 2026
Duke Clark - RB
Jaden Baugh is going to get the headlines at running back, and rightfully so. Baugh could get 20 touches a game, and it still might not be enough. But the role of RB2 still has to be decided, and don’t rule out Duke Clark getting some shine in 2026. While Baugh is known more for his power than his speed, Clark was a very explosive player in high school, running a 10.77-second 100-meter dash as a junior.
Vernell Brown III - WR
If Clark is a bit under the radar, Vernell Brown III is not, and he flashed some of his explosiveness as a true freshman, especially as a punt returner. If Buster Faulkner’s offense is going to be as wide open as we think it could be, Brown is set up to do some serious damage with yards after catch in 2026.
Jayden Woods - EDGE
One of the other key cornerstone players that Florida and Jon Sumrall fought to retain for the 2026 season, Woods has the potential, with his explosiveness, to be a one-man wrecking crew along the defensive line in 2026. Obviously, in reality, he is going to need help from his battering mates, but his first step could create some real havoc against the weaker tackles in the SEC.
Myles Graham - LB
Part of what makes Graham so valuable for Florida’s defense is that he just flies around the field and has the explosiveness to make plays all by himself. It will be interesting to see how his strengths get maximized now that he isn’t bound to the passivity of the Ron Roberts defense in 2026.
Alfonzo Allen Jr. - S
We are going to end this list with another under-the-radar guy. Coming out of spring camp, there is a chance the depth chart has Allen in a spot where he never actually sees the field in 2026. But remember last year, when he took 82 snaps against Mississippi State and was a wrecking ball, willing to come downhill? Of Florida’s safeties, Allen has the most explosiveness of the group, and we wouldn’t be shocked to see Sumrall find a way to use him this year.
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