TALLAHASSEE — Orlando (Fla.) Jones four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III shared exclusively with Noles247 earlier today, while visiting FSU for Legacy Weekend, that he would be back in late June for his official visit (more here).
At the conclusion of his Legacy Weekend visit on Saturday, he shared that the Seminoles are currently battling it out at the top with the 247Sports.com Crystal Ball favorite.
“The two that have separated are Ohio State and Florida State,” Brown III said. “Just everything about them. I really like it.”
“Hopefully by July or August,” Brown III added on his likely decision timeline.
His multi-day visit to FSU played a role in the Seminoles ascending towards the top of his recruitment.
“I didn’t really learn anything different [during the visit], but definitely Florida State has made gains through this, just this weekend honestly,” Brown III said. “Got to hang out amongst the guys, the team. Obviously Tramell [Jones Jr.] being a commit, also my 7-on-7 quarterback.”
He added that he knows a decent among of the new class including guys like Charles Lester III and Cai Bates.
“They just saying they love it. Love the experience, love the coaching, love everything about the program and Tallahassee,” Brown III said.
Brown III reiterated that he feels the love from head coach Mike Norvell and everyone else in the building over his multiple visits to FSU.
This time around, he made his way to Tallahassee on Thursday and had the luxury of watching FSU practice twice in recent days. He shared a bit about what impressed him during those two practices.
“Just the environment,” Brown III said. “I’m a natural competitor, so just watching them guys compete, get after it, it just gets me going. I love competing. Just watching that, watching the environment, them go through the drills, everybody is doing everything with a purpose. No wasted movement. No wasted time. So really like that about the practices.”
Brown III shared some thoughts on what FSU does with their wide receivers, after watching wide receivers coach Ron Dugans and head coach Mike Norvell in action.
“Just like the constant coaching. They are watching their every move. So any little thing that they do wrong, like they are on it,” Brown III said. “That is what I like, the constant attention.”
The weekend also afforded him a chance to be around former FSU players that were back for the Legacy Weekend event. He mentioned that he met Warrick Dunn and others.
“Getting to see the legacy and the players that played in the past, that was good,” Brown III said.
The visit included a chance for him to sit down and talk with Norvell, who always expresses how much he wants to coach him.
When he does return for his late June official, he shared what the intention of the visit is.
“Just continuing to learn more about not only the program and Florida State, but Tallahassee itself. Figuring out do I really see myself here,” Brown III said.
He has a visit schedule to work through before sitting down with his family to ultimately narrow it down and make a decision. The place, practice, the system, and the people will all play a role in his ultimate decision.
Brown III is ranked by the 247Sports.com Composite Recruiting Rankings as the No. 102 overall prospect and No. 12 wide receiver in the 2025 class.