Florida’s highest-rated commit, Jones (Orlando) wide receiver Vernell Brown III, officially signed with the Gators at 7:40 a.m. ET Wednesday morning.
Locked in with the Orange and Blue since July, Brown figures to be the slot receiver of the future at Florida. He’s got quick-twitch ability, good hands and is a threat after the catch. Undersize at 5-foot-10.5-inches and 173 pounds, Brown won’t be a deep threat, over-the-top pass catcher for Florida, but he runs routes with a savviness not often seen at the high school level. He’s also physical for his size and can impact running plays while blocking.
Brown chose Florida over Miami and Ohio State, remaining firm in his commitment to the Gators despite being pursued by the Hurricanes well after his verbal pledge. Brown expressed some relief when Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin publicly backed head coach Billy Napier.
Brown has dominated the high school scene for the past two seasons at Jones in Orlando. He’s totaled 2,727 receiving yards (101 per game) and 21 touchdowns on 158 catches over 27 games, and the Fightin Tigers are still alive in the FHSAA 4A State Playoffs.
He’ll lead Jones against Naples in the state semifinal on Friday. A win sets up a potential state-championship matchup with top-seeded American Heritage and Florida running back commit Byron Louis.
Brown is a third-generation legacy recruit at Florida. His father, cornerback Vernell Brown Jr., played in 45 games for the Gators from 2001-05 and worked on the staff in various roles from 2018-2023, including senior director of player development and alumni relations under Billy Napier in 2023.
He is now Indianapolis Colts quarterback (and former Gator) Anthony Richardson’s manager. Brown’s grandfather (DB, 1980s) and great-uncle, Johnell Brown (1979 leading rusher), both played for Florida as well.
Recruiting Summary
A consensus four-star recruit across all four major recruiting services, Brown earns a fifth star on the
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