Florida Speedster Vernell Brown Looking to Get Back to Ohio State

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ohio State has plenty of options at wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class and the Buckeyes could be looking to dip back into the South Florida Express pipeline via Orlando (FL) Jones speedster Vernell Brown III.

Brown dominated the competition on Sunday at the Orlando Under Armour camp, showing why he’s one of the most dynamic playmakers in the 2025 class. Brown holds offers from coast-to-coast from nearly all of the nation’s top programs as he continues to show what he is capable of in every setting.

“I just think it’s my versatility,” Brown said after the camp. “My ability to play both inside and outside and also DB. Also my IQ of the game.”

The Buckeyes sent coaches to Brown’s school during the month of January and, as always, it’s Brian Hartline on the case for another Florida wide receiver.

“I’ve been talking to coach Hart,” Brown explained. “The relationship is already good and I’m still continuing to build that relationship and get to know coach Hart more.”

Brown visited Ohio State for the Michigan State game last fall and is working on getting another unofficial visit setup in the near future.

“Hopefully I’m going to get up there in March, I just have to work around my 7-on-7 schedule,” Brown explained. “But I’ll definitely be getting up there.”

Ohio State has a bit of a unique situation in this recruitment. Brown’s father, Vernell Jr., played on former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s first Florida team. Current Buckeye head coach Ryan Day was a GA on that team and there were several current Buckeye staffers like General Manager Mark Pantoni and Strength and Conditioning coach Mickey Marotti who were also with the UF program at that time.

“Some of that staff was actually at Florida when my dad played there,” Brown said. “So it kind of feels like a home away from home.”

Beyond Brown’s relationships in Columbus, Ohio State’s run at the wide receiver position in recent years is another appealing factor.

“Absolutely,” he said. “The development and the production on the field, it’s unmatched when you look at them (versus) any other school in the country.”

Brown is on the verge of releasing a Top 10 and then it will be on to official visits, likely in the summer. He did provide a small spoiler on both of those fronts when it comes to Ohio State.

“One-Hundred percent,” Brown responded when asked what Ohio State’s chances were of making both of those cuts.

Hear more from Brown on his recruiting process in our one-on-one interview with the four-star prospect from the Orlando Under Armour camp on Sunday.