The availability report for Florida vs. Oklahoma is out, and there are not too many manjor suprises. Seven total Gators appear on the report:
- WR Vernell Brown III – doubtful
- LB Jaden Robinson – out
- OL Emeka Ugorji – out
- TE Evan Chieca – out
- DL Jeramiah McCloud – out
- WR Bailey Stockton – questionable
- DL Emmanuel Oyebadejo – questionable
These are our observations on the report ahead this Saturday.
Three observations of Florida’s availability report against Oklahoma
Jon Sumrall changes tone on Vernell Brown III
VB3 is officially listed as doubtful for this week. His ongoing saga with his knee injury came to a head last week, when he was initially listed as probable, only to wind up not playing against Georgia. What’s notable is that it seems like Jon Sumrall has officially changed his tone of optimism as to when Brown may or may not come back.
As we chronicled last week, part of the source of fan frustration was Sumrall himself classifying Brown’s injury for five weeks as a “confidence” and “pain management” issue. And so when someone like Bailey Stockton winds up suiting up, there were some eyebrows raised.
As Sumrall laid out this week, Brown has been dealing with swelling in his knee, and the staff at Florida is trying to take a new approach to get him back on the field.
Jeramiah McCloud is suspended
It isn’t clear why, but Jeramiah McCloud is suspended against Oklahoma for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Based on statements Florida has made, his status will be reevaluated next week against Kentucky.
McCloud has been a mainstay this season along the interior of the defensive line alongside Brendan Bett. McCloud has 22 total tackles this season and 11 QB pressures. Look for Joseph Mbatchou, Jamari Lyons, and DK Kalu to get increased snaps in his absence.
Will Caden Jones step up with Emeka Ugorji out?
Perhaps lost in the headlines with VB3 and McCloud is the fact that Florida’s starting right tackle, Emeka Ugorji, is listed as out. On paper, this sets up for Caden Jones to get the start against Oklahoma.
Jones has taken 80 snaps this year, including 14 against Georgia. He was the starting right tackle last year, but a subpar season opened the door for Ugorji to step in and grab the starting role.
Add us as a preferred source on Google