The Florida Gators have secured a significant recruit by landing five-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III, who chose the Gators over Miami, Ohio State, and Florida State. The highly regarded receiver, part of the 2025 class, is the son of former Gators player Vernell Brown Jr., who played for Florida from 2001-2005 and currently serves as the senior director of student-athlete development under coach Billy Napier.
Brown, an Orlando native, is ranked as the No. 7 receiver in his class by the Top247 rankings and is known for his playmaking ability as a slot receiver and return specialist at Jones High School. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 170 pounds, he caught 70 passes for 1,363 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in his junior year.
Andrew Ivins, 247Sports’ director of scouting, praises Brown as a dynamic athlete with exceptional quickness and explosive movement. Ivins highlights Brown’s ability to create separation and generate big plays after the catch, though he may struggle in contested-catch situations due to his size. Brown is expected to be a versatile offensive weapon and a valuable return man for the Gators.
This commitment adds to Florida’s 2025 recruiting class, marking their 10th commitment and second receiver alongside three-star prospect Joshua Moore. Coach Billy Napier, entering the 2024 season with an 11-14 record, is looking to build a strong recruiting class to navigate a challenging schedule and demonstrate the program’s positive trajectory.
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