Vernell Brown III, a four-star wide receiver ranked No. 53 in the ESPN 300, committed to Billy Napier
and the Gators on Sunday afternoon, making him the best-ranked player in Florida’s 2025 class. A
dynamic 5-foot-11 pass catcher from Orlando, Florida, Brown is the seventh-ranked wide receiver
nationally in this cycle and the No. 8 prospect in the state of Florida. After making official visits to all
four schools this spring, Brown chose Florida over Ohio State, Florida State, Miami, and Miami. With
Brown’s pledge, the Gators now have four ESPN 300 prospects committed in the 2025 cycle, including
two top-100 commits.
At Florida, Brown’s dedication upheld a family tradition. His father, Vernell Brown Jr., was a defensive
back for the Florida Gators who played in 45 games between 2001 and 2005. More recently, the older
Brown worked with the school in off-field capacities from 2018 to 23. During that time, he held positions
as Florida’s senior director of player development and as the manager of Anthony Richardson, the
current starter for the Indianapolis Colts and a former Gators quarterback.
Vernell Brown Sr., who played defensive back for the Gators from 1982 to 1985, is mentioned elsewhere
in the family tree. Brown’s uncle, Vincent Brown, was a running back for Florida under head coach
Urban Meyer in the late 2000s.
As Napier begins a crucial third season with the Gators carrying a 2025 recruiting class, the younger
Brown is now the tenth talent committed to Florida. a combined record of 11–14 in the two leading
campaigns.
Brown joins a Florida class that includes four-star pledges Myles Johnson (No. 8 inside linebacker) and
Jeremiah McCloud (No. 41 defensive end), as well as ESPN 300 pledges defensive end Jalen Wiggins
(No. 63 in ESPN 300), running back Waltez Clark (No. 212), and wide receiver Joshua Moore (No. 257).
Since Florida signed wide receiver Jacob Copeland in the 2018 class, Brown is the Gators’ highest-
ranked wide out commit, according to ESPN rankings.
Brown, a two-sport standout at Jones High School in Orlando, has become one of the state’s most potent
playmakers on special teams and in the passing game. As a junior last autumn, Brown caught 70 passes
for 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with four return touchdowns. The quick pass catcher is
furthermore a triple jump state qualifier thrice.
Brown’s decision is a much-needed lift for Napier’s 2025 class, which was not included in ESPN’s most
recent team rankings among the top 40 nationally. Napier has an uphill battle to deliver a second
straight top-10 class to Gainesville in 2025 as he confronts the business end of the current cycle and one
of the hardest schedules in the country this autumn.
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