Miami is among the trio of in-state schools looking to keep Orlando Jones four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III in the Sunshine State. On Tuesday, the Hurricanes got the pass-catcher on campus for his official visit.
Brown has taken a myriad of trips to Coral Gables throughout his recruitment and he’s squeezing a midweek OV in as he continues to work towards a decision. The Canes are battling Ohio State, Florida and Florida State for the 5-foot-10.5, 173-pounder.
Receivers coach Kevin Beard, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and the Miami staff have worked hard to try and land Brown, ramping up their efforts this spring. At the On3 Elite Series last month, Brown said that two of his four finalists were standing out, though he wouldn’t say names. Regardless, he gave high remarks to the Canes.
“Miami’s a really good program. They have that real staff as well,” Brown said of Miami to On3’s Chad Simmons. “Coach (Kevin) Beard has done a really great job of putting them in the race, cause obviously they got on me late, but putting them in the race, maintaining that contact. I would say the program’s really good, then Coach (Shannon) Dawson having experience with guys with similar play-styles like myself, when you talk about Tavon Austin and Tank Dell, so he’s proven as well.”
Brown’s first official visit came at Ohio State on the weekend of May 31. He’s set to take his Florida OV this weekend, then round things out in Tallahassee with FSU on June 21.
The blue-chipper is the No. 35 overall prospect and No. 6 wideout in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Florida.
Miami Class Breakdown
The Canes’ class currently features just seven commits, as of June 11. The class ranks No. 18 in the nation and No. 3 in the ACC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
Tampa Armwood four-star running back Girard Pringle announced his commitment at the end of March, choosing the in-state school over the likes of Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He’s now the top-ranked pledge in the class, checking in at No. 160 overall and No. 9 at the RB position.
Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez is a top-200 prospect and the No. 20 player at his position. He is one of just three in-state commits.
April brought a pair of tight end commitments for Miami. Cincinnati Lakota West four-star TE Luka Gilbert pledged on April 8 and was followed by Leo (Ind.) four-star TE Brock Schott less than a week later. Both are top-15 players at the position. Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton four-star quarterback Luke Nickel was the first pledge in the 2025 class and he’s now the No. 25 signal-caller in the cycle.
Jacksonville Duncan U. Fletcher three-star offensive lineman Takaylen Muex and Brimingham (Ala.) Parker three-star cornerback Timothy Merritt round out the class for Mario Cristobal and Co.
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