![Wildwood s Vernell Brown III (1) runs with the ball during a 2021 preseason jamboree at Leesburg High School in Leesburg. Brown recently received an offer to play for the Univeristy of Michigan. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]
Preseason Jamboree](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3001,h_1688/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01j2d2y7s6r0r3jacbq1.jpg "Wildwood s Vernell Brown III (1) runs with the ball during a 2021 preseason jamboree at Leesburg High School in Leesburg. Brown recently received an offer to play for the Univeristy of Michigan. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]
Preseason Jamboree")
The Miami football program is a finalist with Florida, Florida State and Ohio State for five-star 2025 wide receiver Vernell Brown III ahead of his July 21 commitment date announced on Tuesday. Brown is the 26th prospect, sixth WR and fifth player in the 2025 class per the 247Sports composite rankings out of Orlando Jones.
Brown took official visits to Ohio State, Miami, Florida and Florida State in that order. The three most recent crystal balls, including one from 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Tom Loy on Tuesday project Brown to commit to Florida. One crystal ball in March projected Brown to commit to Ohio State.
The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine projects Florida with an overwhelming 87.8 percent chance for a commitment. Brown made nine visits to Florida. That was more than double any other program. Miami hosted Brown for the second most visits with four.
Miami does not currently have a WR committed to the 2025 class. Brown was one of six WRs who took official visits to Miami in June. Miami has aimed high at WR in the 2025 class. The Hurricanes hosted other five-star WRs Jaime Ffrench and Dallas Wilson in June.
Who will it be🤔???🤷🏾@Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/nOsmDJfzF4
— Vernell "Trey" Brown III1️⃣™️ (@VB3_9) July 9, 2024
Miami WR coach Kevin Beard has led the recruitment of Brown with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson as the secondary recruiter. Brown told On3 that two schools stood out to him without revealing who they were. The unnamed schools separated themselves by the answers they gave Brown.
Brown told On3 he chose the program where he would be able to maximize all the aspects of life on and off the field. On3 quoted Brown as saying his connections with means his recruitment starts there. Brown's father played 45 games as a defensive back for Florida from 2001 through 2005.
Brown played defensive back and returned kicks for Jones. As a junior in 2023, Brown had 70 receptions for 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns with three punt return scores and another on a kickoff return. Whoever signs Brown will add a dynamic, explosive and versatile player.