Gators-Gamecocks availability: Vernell Brown III questionable, South Carolina's Dylan Stewart cleared
By Brenden Martin
Updated 11:55 a.m. ET Saturday: Receiver Vernell Brown III (knee) is the only Florida player on Friday's SEC availability report, listed as questionable, Gators Wire reported. South Carolina lists eight players as out: defensive backs Jalewis Solomon and Quay'sheed Scott, edge rushers Kobby Sakyi-Prah and Julian Walker, offensive linemen Josiah Thompson and Carter Miller, receiver Jayden Sellers and defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart, suspended one game after incidents in the Alabama game, is cleared to play. Sumrall said this week Brown is cleared to participate and that his status comes down to his confidence in his knee. The SEC's final report posts about 90 minutes before the 12:45 p.m. kickoff.
No. 16 Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) and South Carolina (2-3, 0-3) meet Saturday, Oct. 10, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network. Here is where each team's availability stood in the reports published through Thursday, before the official SEC availability reports that come out ahead of the game.
Florida
Receiver Vernell Brown III is listed as questionable with a right knee strain, according to WRUF's report on Florida's Wednesday availability list. He did not play in the 45-17 loss at Missouri on Oct. 3, according to the Post and Courier. Brown has 17 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns this season, according to ESPN box scores.
Running back London Montgomery was also questionable on Wednesday. On3's Thursday availability report lists him as probable. Safety Bryce Thornton (lower body) and cornerback Dijon Johnson (ankle) are listed as probable.
South Carolina
South Carolina's Thursday report lists four players as doubtful, according to Garnet & Cocky: starting center Carter Miller, edge rusher Julian Walker, defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy and defensive back Quay'Sheed Scott. Scott left last week's overtime loss to Kentucky. Brownlow-Dindy missed the Kentucky and Alabama games. Receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. is listed as probable.
Why it matters
Missouri stacked the line to stop Florida's run game and forced quarterback Aaron Philo to throw without Brown, the Post and Courier wrote. Florida still averages 46.2 points and 491.2 yards per game through five games, according to ESPN box scores.
South Carolina's doubtful list is concentrated up front, at center, edge rusher and defensive line, so the Gamecocks' ability to hold up against a Florida offense that leans on running back Jadan Baugh (11 rushing touchdowns, according to ESPN box scores) is the question to watch early.
Statuses can change before kickoff. The SEC's official availability reports are due ahead of the game, and we will update this story if the lists move.
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