National recognition continues to pour in for Gators WR Vernell Brown III
Even in a season full of ups and downs, freshman wide receiver Vernell Brown III continues to give Florida fans something to cheer about. The former Orlando (Fla.) Jones star has quickly become one of the Gators’ most electric playmakers, making noise both on offense and special teams.
That impact earned Brown more national recognition this week, as he was named to The Athletic’s Midseason All-Freshman Team on Friday. He was selected at the all-purpose spot after an impressive first half of the year. Earlier in the week, he also landed on On3’s 2025 Midseason True Freshman All-American Team.
A Florida legacy and one of the nation’s top recruits in the 2025 class, Brown has been as good as advertised. Through six games, he leads the Gators in receptions with 27 for 368 yards. He has also handled 16 returns on special teams, averaging 15.4 yards per punt return. That is good for second best nationally among all true freshmen.
Brown’s production doesn’t stop there though, as he also ranks second nationally among true freshmen in all-purpose yards with 643. Paired with fellow freshman Dallas Wilson, he’s given the Gators a young receiving duo that looks like the foundation for Florida’s future passing attack.
Coming out of high school, Brown was ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect and No. 6 wide receiver. That’s according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting services.
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Vernell Brown III game-by-game in 2025
*Vs. LIU: 3 catches for 79 yards
*Vs. USF: 5 catches for 56 yards, 40-yard punt return
*Vs. LSU: 8 catches for 62 yards
*Vs. Miami: 2 catches for 22 yards
*Vs. Texas: 3 catches for 72 yards, one rush for 14 yards
*Vs. Texas A&M: 7 catches for 77 yards
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