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Vernell Brown III becomes the third freshman WR to start an opener in Florida history

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi08/30/25ZachAbolverdi
Vernell-Brown-III-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) makes a catch before the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Vernell Brown III made history on Saturday night in The Swamp. The five-star recruit started for the Florida Gators at wide receiver and punt returner.

With Brown getting the nod on UF’s opening drive, he became just third true freshman wide receiver in school history to start a season opener. He joins some elite company.

The last freshman WR to start for the Gators was Antonio Callaway, who set UF’s true freshman record for the most receiving yards in a season (678) in 2015, and the first one to do it was Percy Harvin in 2006. Like Brown, Callaway also served as Florida’s punt returner.

Brown had a 21-yard punt return and a 14-yard reception in the first quarter. He was the highest-rated signee in Florida’s 2025 class and UF’s only five-star recruit in the On3 Industry rankings.

“Vernell is one of the emerging players in camp, in my opinion,” Gators coach Billy Napier said. “I think he’s very mature, aware. He’s in great condition, and I think he’s durable. He plays fast for a young player, and I think he’s decisive, and it’s not too big for him. He’s very comfortable in the moment, so he’s got a chance to impact our team as a freshman. So, overall, not a day goes by where I’m not impressed with some of the things that he does. Hopefully we can continue that way.”

Brown was ranked the No. 6 receiver and No. 30 nationally. He played with the starting offense in the spring game, led the Blue team in receiving and caught a touchdown in the first scrimmage of fall camp.

“Vernell Brown III I think is taking full advantage of the opportunities he’s gotten. He’s proven to me that he’s ready to play,” Napier said in camp. “He plays fast. I think he’s an attention to detail guy. Most really elite receivers are consumed with the details. They’re OCD. They’re very particular about everything. The great ones that I’ve coached, they are very particular about how things need to be, so that carries over to how they play.

“That carries over to how they prepare, their recovery, their note taking in the meetings, the precision in the routes, the hand selection, the release plan, the top of route separation plan, the football intelligence. It all adds up. Receiver is a skill position. We got a lot of guys out here that run really fast for our track team that cannot play receiver. They’re big, pretty, fast. Receiver is a skill position, and you have to be a true student of the game to be an elite receiver. … [Brown] has the traits to be an elite receiver because of that.”

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