One of Florida football’s top targets in the 2025 recruiting cycle has set a date for his verbal commitment now that the summer official visit season is in the rearview mirror.
Four-star four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III out of Orlando (Florida) Jones — who is a legacy as the son of former UF defensive back and former off-field staffer Vernell Brown Jr. as well as the grandson of former player Vernell Brown Sr. — announced on Tuesday that he will make his commitment on Sunday, July 21.
Brown’s four finalists include the Gators, as well as the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes and Ohio State Buckeyes. OSU appears to pose the biggest threat to the Orange and Blue for the blue-chip prospect’s talents.
Brown is not just a legacy recruit
Brown’s decision has very little to do with his family history, downplaying his legacy at times — which is common for young student-athletes in his position. Swamp247’s Blake Alderman says that the Gators are pushing the right buttons here, “recruiting him for his own abilities and not the family ties.”
“Florida’s confidence has been very high as the month of June has started to wrap up. Brown is comfortable with the program and likes the plan they have for him as a staff. UF seems to have done a good job of tying his family history with his own track of development.”
Recruiting Summary
Brown is ranked No. 25 overall and No. 6 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 33 and 6, respectively.
Ohio State holds one crystal ball prediction from 247Sports while Florida holds three of its own, with UF favored at an 83.3% chance of signing him against OSU’s 16.7%. On3’s RPM also strongly favors the Gators with an 87.8% chance of earning his commitment, followed by the Buckeyes (9.2%) and Hurricanes (1.3%).
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