Legacy signee Vernell Brown III is one of seven Gators participating in the Under Armour All-American game this week. Florida signed four wide receivers in the 2025 class, three of which are playing in Thursday’s game.
Brown III took the time during Sunday’s media day to discuss the Gators’ WR haul.
“Iron sharpens Iron,” Brown III said. “Dallas [Wilson], big bodied who can move. You don’t see people that can move at his size as well as he does. Naeshaun [Montgomery] also a pretty good receiver, finesse player. Definitely different types of receivers, we will be able to push each other and hopefully all play on the field.”
With all the speed and talent the Gators will have at the wide receiver position, Brown III provided his thoughts on Florida’s offense in 2025, mentioning the possibility of moving away from 12-personnel.
“I think it’s going to be explosive,” Brown III said. “A lot of 12-personnel, 11-personnel. I think bringing in the talent that we’re bringing in, I don’t think we would do that as much anymore, I think it would go more towards 10-personnel because of the talent that we have.”
Brown III also talked about the opportunity of playing with quarterback DJ Lagway, who was recently named a freshman All-American by multiple outlets.
“I’m extremely excited,” Brown III said on playing with Lagway. “I feel like he’s a generational talent at quarterback, you don’t come by players like that often. To be able to catch from him and hopefully light this thing up, I’m extremely excited about it.”
Florida’s 2024 season didn’t start out so hot but ended with four straight victories including a 33-8 bowl game win over Tulane. Brown III liked how Florida was able to stick together to end on a high note.
“Most teams when you come out week one and lose 41-17 and continue to lose, you kind of lose the locker room,” Brown III said. ” Me knowing guys there already, they lost 41-17 and felt more confident than ever. I think Coach Napier being able to keep the locker room despite not having the on-field success that people would want him to have, I think that speaks volumes of the brotherhood, the team, and how much the coaches trust those players.”
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 impressed Brown throughout his recruitment with his hard-nosed coaching style.
“I learned just going there, being there, watching him in his element as far as coaching and meetings. He doesn’t play the radio, which I like. He doesn’t cut any corners; he makes everyone work hard. That’s one thing I know in seeing him,” Brown III said on Gonzales.
The 5’11, 170-pound receiver committed to Florida in July before signing with the Gators on early signing day. At the time of Brown’s commitment, Florida was fairly silent on the recruiting front, ranking outside of the top 50 at one point. The Gators went on a tear to finish the cycle, signing 21 high school prospects in a 2025 class that ranks 10th in the country.
“I wanted to help recruit; I did do that. Some guys did it on their own. I definitely think we finished out with a pretty successful class considering that we weren’t even in the top 30.”