Examining the recruiting class of Florida football: Gators sign a commitment from storied wide receiver Vernell Brown III
One of the nation’s best wide receivers committed to the Florida Gators.
Not only that, but his name is well-known.
Vernell Brown III, who added another pass-catching danger to UF’s expanding 2025 class, made his commitment to the Florida Gators on Sunday.
From 2001 to 2005, Brown’s father played defensive back and wide receiver for Florida. Because of his leadership qualities, former UF coach Urban Meyer referred to him as “the face of Florida football.” Before playing at UF in the 1980s, his grandpa, Vernell Brown Sr., was a running back and quarterback for the Hurricanes that led Gainesville High to a state championship in 1980.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Brown is ranked as a five-star player by 247 Sports composite, making him the 25th best athlete and sixth-best wide receiver in the nation. Last season, Brown returned four kicks—three punts and one kickoff—for touchdowns while catching 70 catches for 1,363 yards and ten touchdowns at Jones High in Orlando.
According to in-state recruitment analyst Larry Bluestein, “he is a difference maker.” “He is a gifted child, among the best in the country. provides Josh Moore’s Florida team with two really important offensive differentiators. Fast-moving playmaker who extends plays and fulfills all of your requests.”
Bluestein compared Brown to former Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith, who was 6-0 and 170 pounds and won a Heisman Trophy with the Crimson Tide, and said Smith could still make plays in the SEC despite his size.
“He just has that intangible that he makes plays,” Bluestein said.
Here’s a look at UF’s commitments for the 2025 class:
Florida football 2025 commitments
Jalen Wiggins
Position: Edge rusher
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 255
School/Hometown: Rickards HS/Tallahassee
Rating: Four-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Coming off a 2023 HS season that included 31 tackles for loss, 37 QB hurries, 16 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Waltez Clark
Position: RB/WR
Height/Weight: 6-1, 194
School/Hometown: Plant HS/Tampa
Rating: Four-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Rushed for 476 yards and 15 TD on 77 carries (6.2 yards per carry) while also catching 22 passes for 358 yards and 4 TD in the 2023 season.
Jeramiah McCloud
Position: DL
Height/Weight: 6-3, 280
School/Hometown: Gadsden County HS/Havana
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Finished 2023 season with 55 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 12 sacks to help Gadsden County go 6-5 and make the Florida 2S playoffs.
Micah Jones
Position: TE
Height/Weight: 6-5, 245
School/Hometown: Madison Central HS/Madison, Miss.
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Finished 2023 season with 168 receiving yards and 1 TD. Per 247Sports composite, Jones is the No. 28 overall tight end and the No. 15 recruit in Mississippi for the Class of 2025.
Chad Gasper
Position: RB
Height/Weight: 5-10, 200
School/Hometown: Katy Jordan HS/Fulshear, Texas
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Rushed for 300 yards and 2 TDs in nine high school games in 2023, while adding 8 catches for 127 yards.
Hayden Craig
Position: P
Height/Weight: 6-2, 190
School/Hometown: Bridgton Academy/Bridgton, Maine
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: A lefty combo kicker/punter, Craig is the fifth-rated punter in the counter per 247Sports. At the 2024 Kohl’s Eastern Showcase Camp for punters and kickers in May, Craig’s best punt went for 46 yards, with a hang time of 4.31 seconds.
Joshua Moore
Position: WR
Height/Weight: 6-4, 205
School/Hometown: West Broward HS/Pembroke Pines
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Moore finished the 2023 season with 50 catches for 835 yards and 9 TD, helping lead West Broward to the 4M playoffs. Chose UF over offers from Miami, Florida State, Arkansas and Auburn.
Tae’Shaun Gelsey
Position: TE
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
School/Hometown: Riverside HS/Jacksonville
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports)
The Skinny: Gelsey caught 48 passes for 859 yards and 9 TDs for Jacksonville Riverside High this past season. Per 247Sports.com composite, he’s ranked as the 72nd best high school player in Florida.
Myles Johnson
Position: LB
Height/Weight: 6-1, 220
School/Hometown: T.R. Miller HS/Brewton, Ala.
Rating: Three-star (per 247 Sports composite)
The Skinny: Athletic two-way standout who also plays running back, plays basketball and runs track at T.R. Miller High School. Ran at 11.15 seconds as a junior in the 100 meters.
Leave a Reply