Florida makes first cut for priority in-state WR recruit

The Florida Gators made the first cut for four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III, who held over 40 Division scholarship offers. Here’s his top 11.

Jones High (Orlando) wide receiver [autotag]Vernell Brown III[/autotag] narrowed down his recruitment on Thursday, cutting a list of more than 40 schools that offered him down to just 11.

The Florida Gators survived the first cut for Brown, but the battle is really just beginning. Billy Napier’s recruiting staff will have to beat out Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, Ohio State, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee and UCF.

“These 11 schools have done a great job showing me that I am a priority to them,” Brown said to 247Sports. “They have been thorough with their approach to get to know me and my family. Three of the things that are most important to me in this process are the people inside of the building at the schools, my relationship with them, and their plan for my development to help me accomplish my goal of playing on Sundays.”

Of course, Brown is a legacy recruit. His dad played cornerback for UF from 2001-05 and worked on staff for parts of six seasons before leaving to manage Anthony Richardson in the pros. The Gators aren’t playing that angle, though. Florida wide receivers coach Billy Gonzalez has received mention from Brown in the past when discussing his top schools.

Brown is a four-star everywhere but 247Sports, where he holds three-star status. The On3 industry ranking, which considers all four major recruiting services, puts him at No. 310 overall and No. 42 among receivers from the class of 2025.

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