Ohio State WR target Vernell Brown III reveals finalists and commitment date.

The wide receiver is prepared to make his announcement.

Over the last six years, Brian Hartline has made Ohio State a reputation for recruiting, developing, and producing top wide receivers. While the Buckeyes have yet to sign an elite receiver in the 2025 class, they will soon have the opportunity.

Vernell Brown III, a wideout, announced on Tuesday evening that he will commit on Sunday, July 21. He will choose from four finalists: Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State.

Brown is a four-star prospect from Jones High School in Orlando, Florida, according to 247Sports’ rankings. He is the country’s No. 7 wide receiver, a top-40 overall player in the class, and the fourth-best prospect in his home state. According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Brown is a five-star prospect, the sixth-best receiver, and a top-25 overall player in the class.

Brown, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound wideout, has been a target for the Scarlet and Gray since before Hartline offered him a scholarship in June 2023 following an Ohio State camp. At the time, Brown was ranked just inside the top 90 players in the Top247 rankings for 2025, but his stock has risen over the last year.

Brown has visited Ohio State’s campus several times since receiving his scholarship offer. He paid an unofficial visit to the Scarlet and Gray’s 38-3 victory against Michigan State last season and began his summer of official visits, which included stops at all of his finalists, at Ohio State.

“The visit was great,” Brown told 247Sports following the official visit. “My dad and I had seen a majority of the stuff before, so it was more so for my mom and siblings. Some of the highlights were spending more time with the players and staff. Also, the good food Columbus has to offer.

“I met with (head) coach (Ryan) Day, coach Hartline and coach (Chip) Kelly. All great meetings. They reiterated how much they want me to be a Buckeye and how they plan to use me. They did a very good job making my mom and siblings feel good about Ohio State. My dad and I already felt comfortable with them, so that was important to me.

“I have three visits left. (The Buckeyes) have solidified their chances with a great visit. However, I still want to go through the process and give the other schools an opportunity to do so as well.”

The Scarlet and Gray have commitments from receivers Quincy Porter, De’zie Jones, and Bodpegn Miller, but they would like to add another wideout to their 2025 class. Brown is one of Ohio State’s top remaining receiving targets, alongside Phillip Bell, Daylan McCutcheon, Jaime Ffrench, and Preston Bowman. According to 247Sports’ rankings, Brown is the best player in the group.

Bucknuts’ Bill Kurelic included Brown as a Buckeye in his best-case scenario for the 2025 class, though he believes Brown is unlikely to commit to the Scarlet and Gray. According to the current Crystal Ball predictions, the Gators are the favorites to land Brown.

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