Florida receiver Vernell Brown III plans to stay with the Gators for his sophomore season, according to an announcement made on Friday.
“Run with it or run from it,” Brown captioned his social media posts while breaking the news. “Year 2 about to be a movie!! Let’s get it! (Gator, handshake and sunglasses emojis).”
Advertisement
Brown led Florida’s offense as a true freshman in 2025 with 512 receiving yards and 40 receptions. His 51.2 receiving yards per game were also a team high. However, Brown did not haul in a touchdown catch over his 10 games.
He was named an All-SEC Freshman by the conference, getting the nod as a receiver, all-purpose player and return specialist. Brown is the first Gator in program history to collect three All-SEC honors as a freshman and is one of five players in SEC history to do so — the last coming in 2022.
The former five-star recruit’s return is notable after a mass exodus from Florida’s receiver room. J. Michael Sturdivant is out of eligibility, and five other receivers — including Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III — hit the transfer portal.
Advertisement
With Brown now re-signed with the Gators, Jon Sumrall and Buster Faulkner’s focus turns to another freshman wideout, Dallas Wilson, as well as running back Jadan Baugh, who is priority No. 1. Retaining all three players would make Florida a very attractive landing spot for the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football legacy WR Vernell Brown III re-signs for 2026
