Vernell Brown III Returning to Florida for Sophomore Season: “I’m Coming for It All”
Florida’s wide receiver room just got a major boost heading into 2026. Vernell Brown III, one of the most electric true freshmen in the SEC this past season, announced Friday that he’ll return to Gainesville for his sophomore campaign.
The announcement came via Florida Victorious, the Gators’ primary NIL partner, and it’s a big one for Billy Napier’s program. Brown didn’t just flash potential in Year 1-he delivered.
“It’s everything,” Brown said of playing for the Gators. “I wore the jersey growing up, always aspiring to play for the Florida Gators, so to be able to accomplish that dream and become a contributor in my first year, it was amazing. Obviously, I was able to accomplish my goal of Freshman All-SEC, but there’s still a lot left on the table, and I’m coming for it all next year.”
And that mindset tracks with what we saw on the field. Brown came into the program with high expectations-ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver and a top-35 overall prospect in the 2025 class, per 247Sports-and didn’t waste time proving he belonged.
The 5-foot-11.25, 178-pound pass catcher made history right out of the gate, becoming just the third true freshman wideout in Florida history to start a season opener. He made the most of it, too, hauling in three catches for 79 yards against Long Island.
That performance set a school record for receiving yards by a true freshman in their debut start-though it was later topped by fellow freshman Dallas Wilson in Week 6.
What Brown did throughout the rest of the season was even more impressive. He played in 10 games, starting six, and finished the year with 40 receptions for 512 yards.
But his impact wasn’t limited to the passing game. Brown also took over as Florida’s primary kick and punt returner, averaging 17.4 yards on kick returns and 11.7 on punts-both solid numbers that speak to his versatility and field vision.
All told, Brown racked up 773 all-purpose yards, ranking fifth nationally among true freshmen and second among true freshman wideouts. That kind of production earned him Freshman All-SEC honors, recognized not just as a receiver, but for his contributions as a return specialist and all-around playmaker.
There’s also the legacy factor. Brown isn’t just playing for Florida-he’s living out a family tradition.
His father, Vernell Brown II, played defensive back for the Gators from 2001 to 2005. His grandfather, Vernell Brown Sr., suited up as a two-way player in the early 1980s.
His uncle, Vincent Brown, played running back for Florida from 2007 to 2009, and his cousin, Vincent Brown Jr., is currently a walk-on defensive back for the team. Even Brown’s younger brother, Corey, is now on board, having signed with the Gators as a walk-on offensive lineman in the 2026 class.
So when Brown says, “It means everything,” he’s not just talking in clichés. He grew up in Gainesville, immersed in Gator culture-Gator sheets, a Gator-themed room, Gator dreams. Now, he’s building a legacy of his own.
And if Year 1 was just the beginning, Year 2 could be something special. Brown has already shown he can be a dynamic weapon in multiple phases of the game. With a full offseason to build on that foundation, don’t be surprised if he emerges as one of the SEC’s most complete offensive threats in 2026.
He’s not just back-he’s coming for it all.