Meet Byrum Brown: Florida Must Contain Bulls’ Dual-Threat QB
When No. 13 Florida takes the field against USF on Saturday afternoon in The Swamp, the biggest obstacle between the Gators and a 2–0 start may be Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown, one of the most exciting dual-threat playmakers in college football.
Brown set the tone in Week 1, leading USF to a 34-7 upset over then-No. 25 Boise State. He threw for 210 yards, ran for 43 more and scored two rushing touchdowns. Florida coach Billy Napier said he was “impressed” and warned his defense to “be at our best” to contain Brown.
From Rolesville to Tampa
Brown is 6-foot-3, 232 pounds and grew up in Rolesville, N.C. He threw for more than 8,000 yards in high school. After committing to USF in 2021, Brown made an immediate splash in 2022, accounting for four touchdowns and 316 yards in his first start against Tulsa.
Breakout in 2023
Under new coach Alex Golesh, Brown exploded in 2023. He became the first 3,000-yard passer in program history, adding 809 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns. The performance included a USF single-season record of 26 passing touchdowns. That year, he stood out as one of only two FBS quarterbacks to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 800, joining LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The season ended with Brown earning offensive MVP honors in a 45–0 bowl win against Syracuse.
Setback
Brown landed on multiple watch lists heading into the 2024 season, including the Maxwell and the Davey O’Brien awards. However, an injury interrupted Brown’s rise in September when he broke his left leg at Tulane. The fracture ended his season, but he stayed engaged on the sideline. By this summer, he was fully healed.
Back in Form
Now a senior, Brown showed no rust in USF’s opener. His efficient passing and physical running earned conference honors and put Florida on alert. “As soon as the first play hit, I was ready to go,” Brown said.
Leader of the Team
Teammates call Brown the heart of the Bulls.
“The best version of Byrum Brown is going to be unstoppable,” center Cole Best said. Napier described him as “big, physical” with the ability to break tackles, outrun angles and make all the throws. His mix of size and speed makes him dangerous whenever plays break down.
Florida’s Challenge
The Gators know it starts with containing him.
“Offensively, it starts with [Brown],” Napier said. The coach emphasized discipline in the pass rush and the need to “keep the guy in the pocket” to prevent Brown from breaking free.
Napier also cautioned about Brown’s ability to create “unannounced plays,” turning broken plays into explosive gains. Florida’s defense, which has struggled against mobile quarterbacks in the past, will need a full-team effort to control Brown on Saturday in Gainesville (4:15 p.m., SEC Network, 98.1-FM, 103.7-FM/850-AM WRUF).
Category: College Football, Feature Sports News, Gators Football, NCAA, SEC, USF
