Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown couldn’t stop beaming.
The 2025 prospect had impressed Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline enough during his individual drills at the program's recruiting camp enough on June 15 to earn an offer from the Buckeyes.
#AGTG WHAT A DAY!!
— Vernell "Trey" Brown III1 (@VB3_9) June 15, 2023
After a great camp, Im extremely Blessed and Thankful to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University!! #GoBucks @ryandaytime @brianhartline @williamh44 @JonesHSFootball @CoachVB_ESM @Qoach_Nick @ChadSimmons_ @Andrew_Ivins @EdOBrienCFB @ZachAbolverdi pic.twitter.com/j35xSuLKaf
“It feels amazing,” Brown told Eleven Warriors after receiving the offer. “Ohio State is the cream of the crop as it pertains to developing and producing the wide receiver position. To earn an opportunity to become part of that meant a lot and reiterates that I am one of the top guys at the position in my class."
Brown was offered by Ryan Day personally, a gesture that meant a lot to the 6-foot, 165-pound prospect.
“He and Coach Hartline were very impressed with my work ethic and performance,” Brown said. “Due to both, I earned a scholarship to Ohio State University and they would love to see me become a Buckeye. It was great to be coached by one of the best in the business (in Hartline). He has developed and produced wide receivers at Ohio State since he has been there and he also played the game.”
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Brown is a three-star recruit and is considered the 380th-ranked prospect in the 2025 class. Still, Hartline thought enough of him to extend an offer after his performance.
“I can play both inside and outside,” Brown said of his on-field ability. “I have always worked to be really good at both and be a guy that can be moved around to play both. My versatility is the best aspect. I can play any skill position on both sides of the ball at a high level.”
??? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/5z3Q5EQNK6
— Vernell "Trey" Brown III1 (@VB3_9) June 17, 2023
Brown currently holds 17 Division I offers, including Georgia, Florida, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Michigan, Purdue, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In 2022, Brady caught 43 passes for 864 yards with six touchdowns.
“Ohio State is definitely near the top,” Brown said of his recruitment. “The proven and consistent development and production of wide receivers and production on offense (is the most appealing thing about the Buckeyes).”
Lockhart ready to commit on Thursday
One of Ohio State’s top remaining cornerback targets is ready to announce his commitment. Four-star Arizona cornerback Miles Lockhart will reveal his college decision on Thursday at 3 p.m., choosing that day in honor of his grandmother’s birthday.
Ever since he received his offer from Ohio State in June of 2022, Lockhart publicly said the Buckeyes were the clear leader in his recruitment. Twenty-four hours from a decision, they’re still the heavy favorite.
Lockhart took his official visit to Ohio State on June 23 and called the visit an “11/10” experience. He didn’t take any other official visits to any other schools.
“I feel like it went great, they covered everything I wanted to,” Lockhart told Eleven Warriors about the official visit. “Obviously, I had been there a few times before so they had mostly shown me everything, but the weekend was a really great time. Coach Walton is always great. He’s really the type of guy you want to be your coach. It was really good seeing him and his wife, it’s always great talking with him.”
Gude to commit on Thursday
A safety in the 2024 class with an Ohio State offer is ready to make a commitment. Four-star Florida safety Jakob Gude will also commit on Thursday, though he’ll likely be headed elsewhere besides Ohio State.
Blessed to be able to say Im announcing my commitment tomorrow July 6th
— Jakob Gude (@Jakob6Gude) July 5, 2023
Gude, who picked up his Ohio State offer in February, has been Crystal Balled to UCF by 247Sports. Ohio State has one safety commit in the 2024 class in Jaylen McClain, and still awaits word from its top target in KJ Bolden, who has a commitment date set for Aug. 5.
