Vernell Brown III: Gators now ‘look like an SEC football program’
According to 4-star receiver Vernell Brown III of Orlando (Fla.) Jones, one of Florida’s biggest recruiting targets this cycle, the Gators looked like a different team compared to 2023 when he watched them practice this spring. And part of the reason for that were the players’ gains during offseason conditioning, he said.
“I would say now they look like an SEC football program,” Brown told Gators Online this week.
Brown, the No. 6 receiver and No. 35 overall recruit nationally in the On3 Industry Rankings, has a final four of Florida, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State and he will officially visit each over the next four weekends. Then, he hopes to have a summer commitment decision.
Brown’s father, grand-father and a few other relatives played for the Gators. But during his recruitment, Brown has taken a business-like approach. Many have assumed he’ll also play for Florida, but according to Brown, he has a difficult decision ahead.
“When it comes to figuring out what the best opportunity is for me you have to remove family ties and all the connections and figure out what’s best for you,” Brown said. “Because what’s best for my family members might not be what’s best for me. … Definitely a busy process, gathering lots of information from different schools, figuring out what’s best for me. I narrowed it down to four schools a few weeks ago. Now we’re good heading into OVs. We’re ready for it.”
At one point this spring, the prevailing view was that Ohio State led. But lately, there has been an uptick in Gators chatter. And Tuesday, Brown confirmed Florida had helped itself during a few visits he made to Gainesville this spring.
“I think they were always kind of near the top in that range. I think they’ve moved up in that top (group). But they were always in there,” Brown said. “Just really learning what their plans are for the program. What they have in store for the future and the direction they plan on heading in.”
The Gators, as you’d expect, have made it clear to Brown the type of role they envision for him in the offense should he sign with Florida.
“Obviously, I’m a playmaker and they’re gonna put me in a position to get the ball in the system,” he said.
While in Gainesville this spring, Brown not only thought the Gators looked better physically, but better as a team in general. He explained to Gators Online why he felt that way.
“I would say, just the culture. It’s a lot more competitive. Practice is a lot faster paced. Getting a lot more accomplished,” Brown said. “Just seeing those players who were young (last year) getting better now and really establishing themselves as a key guy. And you see those young players showing flashes in practice.”
The post Vernell Brown III: Gators now ‘look like an SEC football program’ appeared first on On3.
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