Vernell Brown III arrived on campus as one of Florida’s most talented players in 2025. As a true freshman, the speedy receiver led the Gators in receptions (40) and receiving yards (512) across 10 games, earning a spot on the 2025 Freshman All-SEC Team.
Entering his sophomore season, Brown III has taken the next step as both a player and a leader.
That growth became evident during the offseason workout program under Director of Football Performance Rusty Whitt, where Brown III emerged as a veteran presence among a roster filled with new players.
“VBIII was the very first player to really start being a vocal leader, and you could tell that he’s been here,” Whitt said. “He’s been through it. He wants improvement. And it’s just, it’s just a different level of maturity that you hope everybody can strive towards.”
Unhappy with his team-leading seven drops last season, Brown III spent countless hours over the summer working to improve his ball skills.
“Jug machine and tennis balls Those two were the biggest things,” Brown III said. In the offseason, it was 200 a day. 200 jugs. Yeah, jugs, and tennis balls and I mean, just understanding like ball tracking, you know, just improving my hand-eye coordination. Ultimately improving my ball skills.”
Brown III’s work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed. Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner offered high praise for the second-year receiver.
“That guy spends more time than any receiver I’ve ever been around — I’ve coached, I don’t know, maybe 18, 19 years — in the building,” Faulkner said. “He’s a natural-born leader. He’s not afraid to step out front, lead the guys. He knows the offense right now, probably as good as any of the new coaches. So, he’s a joy to be around and I like the fact that he puts in the work, right? He’s truly about it. And when you get a bunch of guys like that doing that, you got a chance.”
The 5’11”, 177-pound receiver isn’t just a weapon in the passing game. Brown III averaged 11.7 yards per punt return with a long of 40, ranking 18th in all of college football.
In recent spring practices, Brown III has also impressed the staff with his performance in punt block drills.
“He’s one of the best players on our team for a reason,” special teams coordinator Johnathan Galante said. “It’s not just his skill-set. He’s so willing. I said that in my first deal. He wants to learn, he wants to get better. It’s hard to believe that he’s as young as he is because he’s so mature.”
“He could be an elite special-teams player wherever we put him,” Galante added on Brown III. “He could be a great gunner. He could be a great returner. He already is a good returner. Today, his punt-block stuff was impressive. He’s one of those guys where he’s different. He’s fun to be around.”
Brown III delivered several highlight plays as a true freshman — from a ridiculous one-handed snag against LIU to a 40-yard punt return against USF, along with multiple catches of 50 yards or more and plenty of broken tackles in the open field. With his work ethic, maturity and skill set, it may only be a matter of time before Brown III becomes a star in college football.
“It’s all about putting that work in. You get in what you put out,” Brown III said. “You have to fall in love with the process because the only thing the process guarantees you is the opportunity. So, I mean putting that work in, that gives you the confidence to go out there and do what you do. Honestly, obviously, I did do good things, but I kind of expected it because I know the work that I put in and continued to put in.”