Vernell Brown III is thriving for Florida and Jon Sumrall just like we knew he would

Jon Sumrall really wanted Vernell Brown III to stay with the Florida Gators and now we see why. 

In Week 1, Brown made it happen as a wide receiver, catching six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. But in Week 2, Brown wanted to show that he is a threat to score anytime he steps on the field and now everyone on the Gators schedule has to think twice before punting to him.

Brown had two punt returns for touchdowns, averaging over 43 yards on his four returns in Florida's 52-3 win over Campbell. This is how you make a statement for your new coach - Brown looked sensational in the lopsided win, and his play on special teams should turn heads throughout the season. Oh, and on top of the punt return TDs, he added three receptions for 43 yards and another score. Wow.

Vernell Brown III is Florida's do-everything guy

We already know VB3 can catch and he can return punts. He's had some success with the few hand-offs he's received, so can he throw too? It all reminds me a little bit of 1990s Gator legend Jacquez Green. Steve Spurrier wasn't afraid to use Green in any facet of the offense and that included taking some snaps at quarterback. Green was also the last Gator to score touchdowns on back-to-back punt returns, pulling off the feat in 1996 against Kentucky.

You might've heard of that 1996 Gators team. They were pretty good. 

But back to Brown's big night. He is the type of player that thrives in Buster Faulkner's offense. Brown can function in any situation. He can take the short stuff and turn it into an explosive play, and he can play on the outside and go down the field. And with Brown's ability on special teams, it gives Florida another way to get the ball in his hands.

There was also some creativity behind the Gators' success on special teams, as Sumrall credited special teams analyst Greg McMahon for adding a new wrinkle to the punt return. It really helped make a difference, and Brown was the one to really make a splash.

"On both punt returns we actually had blocks called. So, what we were trying to do is maybe get them to try to hold the front guys a little longer and knowing that was going to give VB a little more room to operate," Sumrall said in his postgame press conference. "Sometimes the biggest returns happen on punt blocks. It's nice to see us execute those plays well."

When Brown decided to return to Florida, it was partially to continue the legacy that his father, Vernell Jr. and grandfather, Vernell Sr., had during their time in Gainesville. But it was also because he believed in Sumrall's vision and Faulkner's scheme.

They promised Brown that they would put him in a position to succeed. So far, they have lived up to their word and Brown is making sure that their faith in him is paying off. And following his performance in the Week 2 win, there's plenty of reasons to believe that more head-turning plays will be on the way from him.

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