2025 Football Roster
Roster

Jersey Number 8
Vernell Brown III
- Position:
- Wide Receiver
- Weight:
- 178
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Gainesville, Fla.
- High School:
- Jones
Pronunciation SEASON & CAREER Stats (PDF)
HONORS & AWARDS
2025 SEASON: Started in five games, while playing in all six, at wide receiver, and has served as the Gators' primary punt and kick returner. Has caught a team-leading 27 passes for 368 yards while adding another 261 yards in the return game. Ranks second in the nation among true freshmen in all-purpose yards with 643.
High School
Rated as a five-star recruit by the On3 Industry Rankings and Rivals... Ranked as the No. 3 wide receiver and No. 24 player overall in the Class of 2025 by Rivals... Positioned as the No. 3 player in the state of Florida by 247Sports... Listed in the ESPN Top-300 at No. 41... Brown III is a triple legacy and the son of Vernell Brown II (2001-05) and grandson of Vernell Brown Sr. (1982-85). His uncle Vincent Brown was a part of the Gators 2008 national championship team and cousin of current UF defensive back Vincent Brown Jr. ... Tallied 143 receptions for 2,488 yards and 18 touchdowns in his high school career, good for 17.4 yards/catch and 99.5 yards/game... Chose Florida over Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and USC, among others
HONORS & AWARDS
2025 SEASON: Started in five games, while playing in all six, at wide receiver, and has served as the Gators' primary punt and kick returner. Has caught a team-leading 27 passes for 368 yards while adding another 261 yards in the return game. Ranks second in the nation among true freshmen in all-purpose yards with 643.
- vs LIU: Became just the third true freshman wide receiver to start a season opener in program history. Finished with three catches and a program record 79 receiving yards by a true freshman WR in their first start. Was also a factor in the return game, where he added 70 yards on four attempts (one kick, three punts).
- vs South Florida: Started at wide out and hauled in five of his seven targets for 56 yards. Returned one punt for 40 yards, marking a career-high.
- at No. 3 LSU: Caught a career-high eight passes for a team-leading 62 yards. Totaled 43 punt return yards on three attempts.
- at No. 4 Miami: Hauled in both of his targets for 22 yards with a long of 12. Tabbed one kick return for 19 yards.
- vs No. 9 Texas: Caught all three of his targets for 72 yards, highlighted by a 60-yard snag. Added 14 yards on one rush and 55 yards as a returner.
- at No. 5 Texas A&M: Led the Gators in receiving for the fourth time this season, finishing with 77 yards on six receptions. Notched another 34 yards on two returns.
High School
Rated as a five-star recruit by the On3 Industry Rankings and Rivals... Ranked as the No. 3 wide receiver and No. 24 player overall in the Class of 2025 by Rivals... Positioned as the No. 3 player in the state of Florida by 247Sports... Listed in the ESPN Top-300 at No. 41... Brown III is a triple legacy and the son of Vernell Brown II (2001-05) and grandson of Vernell Brown Sr. (1982-85). His uncle Vincent Brown was a part of the Gators 2008 national championship team and cousin of current UF defensive back Vincent Brown Jr. ... Tallied 143 receptions for 2,488 yards and 18 touchdowns in his high school career, good for 17.4 yards/catch and 99.5 yards/game... Chose Florida over Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and USC, among others
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