Vernell Brown III named SEC Special Teams Co-Player of the Week
Florida football's star wide receiver Vernell Brown III was named SEC co-special teams player of the week following a spectacular performance against the Campbell Fighting Camels, the league office announced Monday.
Brown III returned four punts for 173 yards and two touchdowns while putting up a career-high 216 all-purpose yards. His 173 punt return yards broke Brandon James' program record of 155 punt return yards in a game set in 2007 against Western Carolina, and his two return touchdowns tied the program record for punt return scores in a season.
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The sophomore from Gainesville returned back-to-back punts for TDs of 64 and 70 yards, joining fellow receiver Jacquez Green as the only players in program history to return two punts for TDs in a single game — both on back-to-back returns. Green accomplished the feat on Sept. 28, 1996, against Kentucky during the third quarter, with returns of 66 and 79 yards.
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PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida football's Week 2 matchup vs Campbell
Sep 12, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; A Florida Gators cheerleader performs before a game against the Campbell Fighting Camels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
In addition to his special teams achievements, Brown III also caught three passes for 43 yards and one touchdown, becoming the first Florida wide receiver with three scores in a single game since 2020.
Through Week 2, Brown III leads the Gators in receptions (9), receiving yards (160) and receiving TDs (2), having caught TDs in back-to-back games to begin 2026 after being held without a score over 10 games during his rookie campaign in 2025. He has four total TDs (two rushing, two punt returns) in two games, and is one of four FBS players with two punt return TDs in 2026.
South Carolina defensive back/punt returner Vicari Swain was named the other SEC co-special teams player of the week for the third time in his career after scoring his fourth and fifth career punt return TDs in the Gamecocks' 45-9 win over Towson on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Vernell Brown III named SEC Special Teams Co-Player of the Week
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