Stepping up to the podium Thursday following practice, sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III had changed.
He trimmed his hair down to the shortest length since he joined Florida last spring. He changed his number from No. 8 to the famed No. 1, worn by past Gator greats including Percy Harvin.
But one area of Brown did not change: His work ethic. The third-generation Gator put in countless hours in the film room and on the field, trying to improve not only as a player but as a leader.
Now, Brown enters his second spring camp as the Gators' go-to receiver, a spot he’s more than ready for.
“I established myself as a freshman, but I’m definitely looking to build on that this year,” Brown said.
For Brown, the change to the No. 1 jersey embodies part of that growth.
He said he originally wanted to stay with No. 8, but the history of greatness that those wearing No. 1 had paved was something he wanted to emulate.
“Percy Harvin, Kadarius Toney, Ricky Pearsall,” Brown said. “The pedigree and the expectation that comes along with [No.] 1 is why I made that decision.”
Brown already proved he belonged last season. The Gainesville native caught a team-high 40 passes for 512 yards while adding 261 yards as a return specialist. His all-around play made him the first Florida player and the fifth player ever to earn Freshman All-SEC Honors at three positions (wide receiver, all-purpose, return specialist).
Despite his success in 2025, Brown rigorously evaluated film during the offseason to identify areas of potential improvement. He singled out his ball security as his main issue in 2025, something he has worked on heavily during the offseason.
Brown said he worked on the jug machine at least 200 times daily, while also using tennis balls to work on his hand-eye coordination, ball tracking and ball skills.
That self-determination has translated directly into Florida’s new football performance program, led by coach Rusty Whitt. Whitt instituted “The Gauntlet,” a conditioning drill that the entire team needed to pass before spring practice began.
Florida passed the program Feb. 25 after nearly two months of attempts. And while those two months were filled with plenty of failed trials, only one player never lost: Brown.
“VBIII was the very first player to really start being a vocal leader, and you could tell that he's been here,” Whitt said Tuesday. “He's been through it. He wants improvement ... It's just a different level of maturity that you hope everybody can strive towards.”
Brown’s mental and physical prowess have always stood out among his competition. He credited his family’s football background for that advantage.
Further, Brown’s attitude continues to impress those who work alongside him.
Fellow sophomore wide receiver labeled Brown “a film junkie,” while offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said Brown “spends more time in the team building than any receiver [he’s] been around,” in almost 20 years of coaching.
His determination also extends to special teams. Coordinator Johnathan Galante singled out Brown as “one of the best players on our team” and called him an elite player in multiple aspects.
While it may not be the flashiest part of the game, Brown’s love for special teams is evident.
“I want to be as big of a resource as I can,” Brown said. “Whether it's blocking a punt, blocking for the returner, or even being a gunner, I'm here however they need me.”
With Brown’s excellence in all phases of the game, it’s not hard to see why he would have had a major market if he had decided to enter the transfer portal in the winter.
However, Brown’s decision was crystal clear: He’s a Gator through and through. He announced his decision to re-sign with Florida and the Name, Image and Likeness Collective Florida Victorious on Dec. 24.
“I didn’t want to leave,” Brown said. “This is my dream school.”
Now, with spring ball in full swing and the Gators gearing up for their first season under head coach Jon Sumrall, Brown made it clear he was not just focused on his individual growth, but on the growth of the Florida football program as a whole.
“Ultimately, 4-8 was last year,” Brown said. “We’re 0-0. It’s up to us if we repeat that, or if we go 12-0.”
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is a junior sports journalism student in his seventh semester at The Alligator. He serves as The Alligator's assistant sports editor and football beat coordinator. He previously served as The Alligator's sports editor and as a reporter for football, women's tennis, volleyball, lacrosse and sports enterprise. He also has made multiple appearances on the Paul Finebaum Show. Max wants to shoutout his cats, Scooter and Zoe, and niche former Florida Panthers players (shoutout Maxim Mamin).
