He could have been a follower, taking the same early NFL exit as first-round draft picks Gerard Warren and Kenyatta Walker.

But of the three University of Florida linemen, only defensive end Alex Brown chose the Peyton Manning route of staying for his senior year.

"I'm not saying I'm not ready for the NFL, I'm just having fun here," said Brown. "It's another year we can go and have fun and hopefully win them all."

Brown is banking on his return being a win-win situation -- help raise his stock for the 2002 NFL draft and help the Gators win a second national championship.

His presence not only gives Florida nine returning starters on defense, it gives the Gators a feared pass-rusher that opposing offenses must give their utmost attention.

Two years ago, Brown earned first-team All-American honors as a sophomore based largely on monster games against Tennessee and Georgia when he combined for seven sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and three pass deflections. He finished with a school-record 13 sacks.

Last season, Brown struggled more with sacks (getting just 7.5), but had more tackles and quarterback pressures.

He also got the SEC Championship jewelry.

Now he wants the one that has eluded the Gators since winning it all in 1996.

"I don't want to leave and then see up on the screen, '2001 National Champions, Florida Gators,' and I'm not part of the team," Brown said.

The trash-talking Brown didn't care much for how the 2000 season ended -- with a 37-20 loss to Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Several days before that game, Brown sustained a black eye when he and teammates got into a brawl with some Hurricanes' players on Bourbon Street.

Don't be surprised if Brown again does most of his talking this season on the field. The welt under his left eye has long since healed. Now the 6-3, 264-pound Brown wants to focus on putting a hurtin' on the quarterback and breaking his school record for sacks.

If that happens, the Gators might finish No. 1 and that'd make coming back for his senior year well worth postponing the NFL riches.

Lindy's Football Annuals (National, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10, ACC, plus Pro) are available at newsstands regionally, or can be ordered as a set at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.