Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Evaluating the Class of 2024: Lagway led the way
- Evaluating the Class of 2024 Transfers: Receivers earn an A
- Class of 2025 Recruiting Superlatives
- Grading the Gators: Class of 2025 Signees
- UF players to keep an eye on as Transfer Portal window opens
- 35-Game Report Card: Napier’s numbers are still lacking
Vernell Brown III is a four-star wide receiver from Orlando, Fla. He was recruited by the Gators’ wide receiver coach Billy Gonzales. Brown committed to Florida on June 21, 2024, and officially signed with the Gators on December 4.
Brown is the son of former Gators football cornerback Vernell Brown, who followed his own father to Florida and then later worked as a member of the UF football support staff.
Learn more about Vernell Brown III on a personal level in this edition of Getting to Know.
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
Take us through the process that led to your commitment. What was that experience like for you?
“I mean my recruitment process was definitely a pretty extensive process. It was my plan the entire time to take my time and not make decisions until I felt like I made the right decision. It was especially an extensive process and I’m just glad that the University of Florida was my ultimate decision.”
What was the most appealing part of the University of Florida?
“In terms of checking boxes right off obviously no school is perfect right, and there are some schools that are going to have better things than the others than others. Some not so good but I would say just for me UF checked most of the boxes.”
Florida won four in a row to close out the season. Did that momentum help solidify your decision, or did it matter?
“No, I mean I see that as icing on top of the cake. When I made my decision, I was already solidified, so just that winning you know that was just icing on top of the cake and I do think that helped in recruiting though.”
What is your impression on the Florida fanbase based on what you see on social media?
“I’d say the fan base is very passionate though they’re very intune with what’s going and very knowledgeable. I would definitely the UF fan base is extremely passionate, and I loved it.”
Do you feel any added pressure coming into Florida living up to the Brown family name?
“I would say no, just growing up and throughout my football journey I’ve come to the realization that the only pressure that you have is the pressure that you put on yourself. So, with that, I don’t feel any pressure.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“I would say Miami was my second school you know Miami has a great program, great people, and great staff. All good things to say about Miami, I felt like Florida was the better option for me personally.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“I would just say the overall process you know just thinking about that grind and all the work. The hard work it took to get to the point where I am and where it’s going to take me.”
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“I would say my quickness on the field and my dynamic playmaking ability. I would say my knowledge of the game you know I understand the game at a very high level on both sides, so understanding how to be courageous I understand how coverages work so I would say my knowledge of the game is my biggest.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“I want to get more knowledgeable with the game. I will know more when we start to get it into practice and stuff like that, but you know really just want to become more knowledgeable of the game. Getting to know that playbook you know the offense like the back of my hand.”
Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2025?
“It’s a few of them but the most throughout the entire process I would say Tramell Jones Jr., that’s my guy.”
Use one word to describe Billy Napier. Use one word to describe your position coach
“Billy Napier I would say resilient to describe him as he didn’t have the best situation coming in didn’t look the best for the past two years. The way he’s really turned it around and you know players still want to play for him even after 41-17 losses. For Coach Billy G [Gonzales]. I would say that he’s for sure a developer. He’s coached a lot of great guys who have reached their full potential.”
PERSONAL
What is your major?
“As of today, I’ll be majoring in sports management and hopefully going to do a minor in finance.”
What’s your favorite quality in a teammate?
“In a teammate, I’ll say just be a dog you know just don’t quit never give up, and have confidence for sure.”
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside? Or getting to know on the team?
“I would say everybody you know Florida is a team full of great guys, Deandre Robinson and me are closer because me and him played at the same high school so that relationship was already there when he got to Florida, so I would say I’m the closest to him.”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“My favorite team is the Ravens, but only because of Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers.”
Who is your favorite professional football player right now? Why?
“Lamar Jackson for sure he is one-of-a-kind and every time I watch him play it’s exciting.”
Is there a person, sports personality or not, that has had an influence on your life?
“My dad. I mean just both as a football player and as a man and in life you know I would say my dad is my biggest influence for sure.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“I would say you know learn the full playbook, get all A’s my first semester at UF, and being in the starting line up at the start of spring ball.”
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
“In five years, I will be in the NFL.”
If you had a chance to spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?
“Probably Justin Jefferson, just pick his brain kind of just you know just take some stuff from him.”
What is one item that you cannot live without? Why?
“Floss sticks just because like I have tight teeth, so after I eat, I feel like I have to floss.”
What are your favorite types of music? Do you have a favorite artist or song?
“I would say the music I listen to the most is like hip hop and rap music, but I mean artist wise I listen to everybody. I definitely have a very broad range of music.
What is your favorite movie?
“Friday After Next, every time I watch it feel like I’m watching it for the first time.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“The Power Series I really enjoyed every last one of those or BMF.”
What is your favorite meal or favorite food to cook?
“I don’t really cook like that but when I do cook it’s probably eggs. However, I do know how to bake a cake. A store-bought cake not from scratch. I like the Funfetti cakes from Publix.”
If you could spend an entire day with anyone in history, who would that be?
“LeBron James, I want to pick his brain too you know just learn about different stuff he did along his journey. Obviously, he is a basketball player but maybe take some things that he does and apply it to my journey.”
Orange or Blue?
“I’m choosing Blue.”
Favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“If it’s not blue the flavor, probably red, the fruit punch one.”
What is one thing about you that Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about?
“I actually love math, I’m really good at it and I like the process of getting to the right answer. I hate English though like reading and writing I hate it.”
What’s your message to Gator Nation?
“Gator Nation, I’ll be home in two days, so…”
Leave a message for your future self.
“I’ll say keep being you, you know what it takes to get there so don’t change anything.”
His bucket list isn't about seeing the Pyramids or skydiving or anything like that.
His bucket list is all about football.