Gator legacy Vernell Brown III took an official visit to Florida this weekend. The 5’11, 170-pound Jones High School product (Orlando, Fl) ranks as the 6th best wide receiver in the 2025 class and the 39th overall recruit, according to 247’s composite ranking.
Brown is down to four schools: Ohio State, Miami, Florida State, and Florida.
“It was a really good visit; I enjoyed every aspect of it, Brown III told Gator Country. “I think the biggest thing, because I’ve been here so much, seen a lot, it doesn’t really feel like a visit when I come back here. Just kind of in it, hanging out, hanging out with the players, spending time around the staff and stuff like that. It was really good.”
Brown III and Florida’s WR coach Billy Gonzales go way back, as the two have known each other since the pass catcher was in 4th grade. Gonzales laid out a detailed plan for Brown III during his OV.
“He showed me a presentation of what his plan for me is, so that was big. People talk about it all the time, but it was good for him to actually show it. They have some big plans,” Brown III said.
“They don’t compare me to a single player, but there are similar playstyles like with Kadarius Toney, Percy Harvin, and Tre Wilson. I’m unique, so the plan they have is individualized to me,” Brown III added.
Brown III got the chance to hear from several different players about their experience at the University of Florida. The positive feedback is a huge selling point for Billy Napier and his staff this cycle.
“When you get a chance to be around different players you get to hear different experiences. You have the Tre Wilson’s, who generally have the perfect experience, and someone else who is still working their way up. I didn’t hear anything bad, all the players are enjoying it, which is a big selling point for coach Napier and his staff talking about the player experience,” Brown III said.
Brown III is looking to cut his list down to two schools before committing in July. It’s no secret that Florida hasn’t had the on-field success that some of the other teams in Brown III’s recruitment have seen in recent years, but the speedy pass catcher finds the opportunity to help Florida get back to the National spotlight.
“They obviously aren’t the top program when it comes to winning on the field, but I think there’s beauty in helping build that, kind of bringing it back for a lack of better words,” Brown III said.
Florida sits in a good of a spot as any heading into Brown III’s final official visit in Tallahassee.
“When you look at all aspects, the staff, player experience, me feeling comfortable here and then me being from Gainesville, growing up in a Gator family,” Brown III said on why Florida is in the running.
Brown III shared a message that we’ve heard from multiple players in the 2025 class; Florida is confident in their team’s ability next season.
“He feels like the team is in a very different position then they have been the last few years,” Brown III said on Billy Napier’s message to him. “Everybody in the building is confident about what this season has to come. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing that.”