Sunday saw highly regarded receiver Vernell Brown III pledge to the Gators over Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State, adding a jewel to Florida’s 2025 recruiting class. Brown is ranked as the No. 7 receiver in the class by Top247 and is a five-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite.
The native of Orlando, Florida is dedicated to the Florida history; from 2001 to 2005, his father was a receiver and defensive back for the Gators. At 170 pounds and 5 feet 11 inches, Brown has the ability to be a playmaker out of the slot. At Jones High School, where he plays both offence and defence, he has also established himself as a return threat. As a junior, Brown caught 70 passes for 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Billy Napier, the third-year Florida coach, will need to put together a good recruiting class if he hopes to improve on his 11-14 record coming into the 2024 campaign. Additionally, the Gators have an extremely challenging schedule, so gaining recruiting momentum is crucial as he works to persuade UF administration that the team is on the correct track.
“Elite short-area quickness and explosive movement patterns” characterise Brown, according to 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins. More from Ivins’ scouting report regarding the Gators’ recent pledge is as follows:
Has made an effect on the game in all three phases at the prep level and shown promise at defensive back, but his potential as a slot receiver who can create big plays with his run-after-catch ability seems to be the highest. Eats on in-breaking routes, dropping his hips to get separation before accelerating into soft places in the covering. Given his size, he will probably never have a high success rate in true contested-catch scenarios, but he plays with confidence and doesn’t exactly run from contact.Based on his junior tape and the kind of offensive weapon playcallers may use creatively (screens, jet sweeps), he projects as a potential game-breaker on Saturdays. He can force defenders to miss in both tight spaces and the open field. Will be a great asset as a return man.
Brown joins three-star prospect Joshua Moore as Florida’s second receiver pledge of the 2025 recruiting cycle. Under coach Billy Napier, Brown’s father, Vernell Brown Jr., is currently Florida’s senior director of student-athlete development.
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