He chose to uphold the family legacy.
The recruitment wars will only heat up as September approaches. One potential caught the attention of Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama Crimson Tide, as well as Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes team. He goes by the name Vernell Brown III. This outstanding wide receiver is likely one of, if not the most sought-after weapons in the 2025 recruiting class. However, he will not be visiting Tuscaloosa or Columbus. Instead, this terrifying weapon has chosen to play for Billy Napier and the Florida football team.
Billy Napier had recently signed his tenth player in the 2025 recruiting class through Vernell Brown III, according to Hayes Fawcett of On 3 Sports. Florida’s football program is adding a solid five-star wide receiver. If he develops properly, he might become a star. While Alabama and Ohio State continue to be the top recruiting schools, the Gators need one thing. The fact is that this weapon has familial and generational ties to the program.
His father, Vernell Brown II, was a member of the Florida football team from 2001 to 2005. Back then, the Gators were managed by a succession of top honchos. Steve Spurrier started it, and then it was passed down to Ron Zook, Charlie Strong, and finally Urban Meyer. The 2025 recruit will not have to worry about changing systems so quickly. This is because Napier signed a seven-year contract that will pay him $51.8 million over that time period.
Brown, like the rest of his Florida football teammates, will have to put in some effort once he joins the program. The Gators are coming off a mere 5-win season. They were unable to secure a bowl game for the 2023 season. Their SRS of 3.31 is the lowest it has been since their four-win season in 2017.
How good of a recruit is Vernell Brown III for the Florida football squad?
Brown is regarded as a dynamic receiver who stands 5-foot-11. He clearly inherited his father’s athleticism, who was an excellent defensive back for the Gators back in the day. To put it in context, this young weapon is so good at running routes and demonstrating his verticality that he was ranked eighth among wide receivers in the 2025 recruiting class. Not to mention that he is the ninth best prospect to come out of Florida.
He will now join an ambitious class of 2025 recruits. All of them aspire to help Florida football reclaim its SEC glory. Jalen Wiggins, Waltez Clark, Myles Johnson, and Jeremiah McCloud will be his batchmates. His wide receiver teammate is Joshua Moore, and their synergy when it comes to weaving routes will be worth watching.
Overall, Florida’s football program won convincingly over Alabama and Ohio State. Hopefully, they can build momentum for their young guns this year. This means that when they become veterans, they will be able to coach the 2025 recruitment class effectively.