Florida Wide receiver Vernell Brown III plans to stay with the Gators for his second season, according to an announcement Friday.
“Run with it or run away,” Brown captioned her social media posts announcing the news. “Sophomore Year is about to be a movie!! Let’s do it! (Gator emojis, handshake and sunglasses).”
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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 have a touchdown in his 10 games.
He was named All-SEC Freshman by the conference, earning the nod as a wide receiver, versatile player and return specialist. Brown is the first Gator in program history to earn 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 ineligible and five other receivers – including Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III – have entered the transfer portal.
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With Brown now re-signed with the Gators, Jon Sumrall and Buster Faulkner’s attention turns to another first-year player, Dallas Wilson, as well as running back Jadan Baugh, who is the No. 1 priority. Retaining all three players would make Florida a very attractive landing spot for top quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
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This article was originally published on Gators Wire: Florida football legacy WR Vernell Brown III re-signs for 2026
