A roar echoed across Gainesville as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium erupted in astonishment. Freshman receiver Vernell Brown III had just come down with the most improbable catch of the night, leaving spectators dazed.
UF sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway rolled out to his right, escaping a collapsing pocket, and launched a 41-yard pass deep downfield to Brown. The young receiver tracked the ball, backpedaled, stumbled and leaped backwards to make a miraculous, one-handed catch that left him rolling head over heels into the red zone at the 8-yard line.
“I wish I was mic’d up when he made that catch,” redshirt sophomore Eugene Wilson III said. “He did some freaky stuff right there.”
Brown’s 41-yard reception was one of three passes he caught as he exploded for 79 receiving yards. In addition to becoming the third true freshman in school history to start a season opener — joining Percy Harvin (2006) and Antonio Callaway (2015) — Brown’s receiving total marked a program record for a freshman receiver in their first collegiate start.
“You can just see how he act,” added sophomore running back Jadan Baugh. “He’s a pro.”
It didn’t come as a surprise to those within the program when Brown earned the start. He entered UF as the No. 3 receiver in the 2025 class, according to Rivals, and got right to work as a pass-catching threat in Florida’s system.
By the conclusion of fall camp, he both looked and acted the part of a vetted, reliable receiver, and head coach Billy Napier spoke highly of his progress in the weeks preceding the opener.
Napier called Brown “mature and aware” Aug. 11, noting the freshman receiver “plays fast for a young player.”
Brown jumped right into his debut game as a returner, bringing back three punts for 45 total yards. With his first collegiate touch, he produced an impressive 21-yard punt return that brought Florida across midfield.
“He’s always got a good motor on him,” said junior defensive back Sharif Denson. “He’s fast, good routes. He’s gonna play through the whistle, too.”
In the first quarter, Brown recorded a 14-yard reception and continued to produce in the second quarter, adding two more catches for a total of 65 yards.
With only 1:16 remaining in the first half, the freshman elevated for a leaping, one-handed grab that stunned fans and rivaled the viral catch made by NFL receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014.
“We was all kind of expecting that,” Wilson said. “Throughout the whole spring, offseason and then throughout camp, he’s been doing it every day.”
By the second half, Brown was contained to a special teams role as Florida’s returner continued to cruise past its FCS opponent. Although Brown’s evening as a receiver ended early when Florida led 38-0 at the half, he proved to his coach and teammates he’s a trustworthy set of hands on offense and has a mentality and toughness that allow him to execute in the game’s most crucial moments.
“He’s comfortable in that setting,” Napier said. “He’s a playmaker. He’s been doing that, very consistent, very dependable, you know what you’re going to get.”
Florida made several moves over the offseason to bolster its receiving room. In addition to adding Brown, the Gators acquired UCLA redshirt senior transfer J. Michael Sturdivant and five-star freshman Dallas Wilson. Dallas initially signed with Oregon but decided to switch his commitment to Florida in December following national signing day.
Brown started alongside Sturdivant in UF’s season opener. However, Dallas was absent due to a lower-leg injury suffered during fall camp. The five-star did not make his highly anticipated debut against LIU, likely giving Brown more leeway as a pass catcher in his first collegiate start.
Without a timeline for Dallas’ return, Brown should continue to take over the role as the lead freshman receiver as Florida prepares to face South Florida at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 6 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“He’s an even better person, you know, teammate,” Napier said. “He’s going to be a great leader, and he’s a guy that really, really cares about the University of Florida.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is the men's tennis beat reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. He enjoys spending his free time with pets, at the beach and fishing.
