Florida Legacy Vernell Brown III Locks In Next Gators Visit
Wildwood (Fla.) Middle-High 2025 athlete Vernell Brown III has locked in a return visit to Florida for April 14, he announced on Friday. He'll be joined by his seven-on-seven teammates from The24KOrganization on the trip.
Brown, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, began to make a name for himself as a football prospect in seventh grade when he averaged 27.3 yards per catch across three receptions on Wildwood's varsity squad. He's been a mainstay ever since, appearing in 28 games since his eighth grade year.
To date, Brown has compiled 68 receptions for 812 yards and 11 touchdowns offensively and 30 tackles, four interceptions (including one pick-six) and two fumble recoveries defensively in his varsity football career.
A legacy recruit, Brown is the son of former Gators cornerback/wide receiver/returner Vernell Brown Jr., once labeled "Face of Florida Football" by former head coach Urban Meyer during their original tenures with the program. Brown Jr. is an area native who shined at Gainesville High before signing with UF.
Brown Jr. rejoined the program in 2018 in a student-athlete development role and maintained a spot on Florida's off-field staff upon head coach Billy Napier's hiring in late 2021. He now serves as UF's Senior Director of Student-Athlete Development/Alumni Relations.
While his ties to the program are obvious, Brown III hopes to navigate his recruiting process without bias and ultimately choose the program that best fits him. That's why he'll tour Arizona, Arizona State, TCU, Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Clemson, Tennessee, Georgia and Georgia Tech in the coming weeks as well.
"Despite my dad's history with the University of Florida, which makes me a 'legacy' recruit, it will have no impact on my college decision when the time comes," Brown said in a Sept. 2 statement. "He has always been very supportive and encouraging regarding me going through the recruiting process and choosing the best situation for me."
Brown's father has emphasized his message.
"I am a Gator but if you know me, you know I am very pro my kids and all kids going through the recruiting process, being supportive, and ultimately letting them make the best decision for them," Brown Jr. tweeted on Feb. 26. "This process will be fun [Vernell]!!!"
Still, Brown's message hasn't stopped the Gators from putting their best foot forward to keep orange and blue in the family. The upcoming trip will mark, at least, his fourth unofficial visit to the program since Apr. 2022. He picked up his offer from Florida last June after impressing the coaching staff in a camp setting.
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