Florida Gators starting WR heads to locker room with injury
After yet another reception in the third quarter, Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III came down with a left arm injury. Since then, the former 5-star prospect has taken off his shoulder pads and headed to the locker room.
Brown is the Gators’ leading receiver against the Bulldogs with five receptions for 95 yards. The Gators hold a 20-14 lead over the Bulldogs early in the fourth quarter.
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 32 for 463 yards. He also ranks second best nationally among all true freshmen in punt return average.
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Brown’s production doesn’t stop there though, as he entered Saturday second nationally among true freshmen in all-purpose yards. 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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