Vernell Brown III aims to live up to No. 1 jersey in sophomore season

The Jones High School alum switches from No. 8 to the coveted No. 1 jersey, hoping to become a top target for the Florida Gators.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Vernell Brown III, a sophomore wide receiver for the Florida Gators, has switched his jersey number from 8 to the coveted No. 1, which has been worn by several elite Gators players in the past. Brown is embracing the challenge and expectations that come with the prestigious number, and is determined to find the end zone more often after a strong freshman campaign where he caught 40 passes for 512 yards but did not score a touchdown.

Why it matters

The change in jersey number represents Brown's desire to take on a larger role and become a top target in the Gators' offense under new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. The No. 1 jersey has been worn by several Gators legends, and Brown is hoping to live up to that pedigree and make a name for himself in Gainesville.

The details

Brown, a Jones High School alum, impressed as a freshman, catching 40 passes for 512 yards. However, he failed to find the end zone. With a new offensive regime led by Faulkner, who preaches speed, Brown is poised to take the next step and become a dominant receiver for the Gators. He has already stood out in the team's "Gauntlet" offseason training program, going toe-to-toe with defensive backs like Jayden Woods and Bailey Stockton.

  • Brown wore the No. 8 jersey as a freshman in 2025.
  • The Orange and Blue game, Florida's annual spring game, is coming up soon.

The players

Vernell Brown III

A sophomore wide receiver for the Florida Gators who is switching from No. 8 to the coveted No. 1 jersey, hoping to become a top target in the offense.

Jon Sumrall

The head coach of the Florida Gators who retained playmakers like Vernell Brown III despite a coaching change.

Buster Faulkner

The new offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators who preaches speed and has already taken notice of Brown's impressive performance in the team's offseason training program.

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What they’re saying

“Closer to those conversations, understanding the history of those who wore number 1 like Percy Harvin, Kadarius Toney, Ricky Pearsall, I just see the pedigree and expectations that come with one to why I ultimately made that decision. I could not stay away from what some people call pressure. But I'm trying to embrace that.”

— Vernell Brown III (WCJB)

“He had some good battles with Jayden Woods, Bailey Stockton had a couple of good battles. It was fun to watch, the gauntlet was a really good thing for us, that is the most mentally taxing exercises that I've ever been a part of, and I think it's one of the best things I seen in college football.”

— Buster Faulkner, Offensive Coordinator (WCJB)

What’s next

The Orange and Blue game, Florida's annual spring game, is coming up soon, giving Brown a chance to showcase his skills in the new offense and live up to the expectations that come with the No. 1 jersey.

The takeaway

Vernell Brown III's decision to switch to the iconic No. 1 jersey represents his desire to take on a larger role and become a dominant receiver for the Florida Gators. With a new offensive coordinator who preaches speed, Brown has the opportunity to build on his strong freshman campaign and cement his place as one of the top targets in the Gators' passing attack.