Florida lands its top 2025 recruit in 4-star WR Vernell Brown III - ESPN

Four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III, No. 53 in the ESPN 300, became the highest-ranked member of Florida's 2025 class when he committed to Billy Napier and the Gators on Sunday afternoon.

Brown, a dynamic 5-foot-11 pass catcher from Orlando, Florida, is the seventh-ranked wide receiver nationally in this cycle and the No. 8 prospect in the state of Florida in the 2025 class. He picked Florida over finalists Ohio State, Florida State and Miami following official visits to all four schools this spring.

With Brown's pledge, the Gators are now up to four ESPN 300 prospects committed in the 2025 cycle with a pair of top-100 commits.

Brown's commitment continued a family legacy at Florida. He is the son of former Florida defensive back Vernell Brown Jr., who appeared in 45 games for the Gators from 2001-05. The elder Brown more recently served in off-field roles with the program from 2018-23, including a stint as Florida's senior director of player development, before going on to manage former Gators quarterback and current Indianapolis Colts starter Anthony Richardson.

Elsewhere within the family tree, Vernell Brown Sr. played defensive back for the Gators from 1982-85. Vincent Brown, Brown's uncle, played running back at Florida under Urban Meyer in the late 2000s.

The younger Brown is now the 10th prospect committed to Florida in 2025 as Napier enters a pivotal third season with the Gators carrying a record of 11-14 across two campaigns in charge.

Brown joins a Florida class that includes ESPN 300 pledges in defensive end Jalen Wiggins (No. 63 in ESPN 300), running back Waltez Clark (No. 212) and wide receiver Joshua Moore (No. 257), as well as four-star pledges Myles Johnson (No. 8 inside linebacker) and Jeremiah