Ohio State, Alabama lose out on 5-star WR after Florida football decision
According to Hayes Fawcett of On 3 Sports, Billy Napier has recently signed his tenth player in the 2025 recruiting class through Vernell Brown III. A reliable five-star wide receiver will join the Florida football team. With the right development, they might even catch a star. The Gators lack one thing that Ohio State and Alabama continue to have in spades when it comes to recruiting prospects. The truth is that the program has legacy and family ties to this weapon.
His dad, Vernell Brown II, played for the Florida football program from 2001 to 2005. Back then, the Gators were handled by a revolving door of head honchos. Steve Spurrier started it off then duties were passed on to Ron Zook, Charlie Strong, and eventually Urban Meyer. The 2025 recruit won’t have to worry about changing systems so soon. This is because Napier inked a seven-year deal which will see him net $51.8 million throughout that span of time.
However, Brown will have some work to do along with the rest of his Florida football teammates once he enters the program. The Gators are coming off a meager 5-win season. They were not able to make a bowl game in the 2023 season. Their SRS of 3.31 is also the lowest that it has been since their 4-win record back in 2017.
How good of a recruit is Vernell Brown III for the Florida football squad?
Brown is seen as a dynamic receiver who is measured at 5-foot-11. He certainly got the athleticism from his father who used to be an insane defensive back for the Gators back in his day. To put it into perspective, this young weapon is so good at running routes and displaying his verticality to the point where he got ranked as the seventh wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class. Not to mention, he is the eighth overall best prospect to come out of the state of Florida.
Now, he’ll be a part of an ambitious class of 2025 recruits. They’re all in it to help Florida football return to its previous SEC supremacy. He will be joined in his batch by Jalen Wiggins, Waltez Clark, Myles Johnson, and Jeremiah McCloud. Joshua Moore is his wide receiver teammate, and their synergy when weaving routes will be something to watch out for.
All things considered, Florida’s football team defeated Alabama and Ohio State with relative ease. This year, hopefully, they gain traction for their young guns. This way, when they become veterans, they will be well-equipped to coach this recruiting class for 2025.
