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The legacy continues with another Brown — Vincent Jr. — UF bound

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•01/01/25•

ZachAbolverdi

Vincent-Brown-Jr-Florida-Gators
Incoming Florida DB transfer Vincent Brown Jr. (Photo by Sydney Lenn)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Brown family’s history with the University of Florida runs several decades deep. The legacy continues in 2025 to two more family members headed to UF.

The latest to join to the Gators is Vincent Brown Jr., who announced his commitment to Billy Napier’s program on Wednesday. The transfer defensive back will be one of 20 preferred walk-ons on Florida’s roster.

Brown spent the past two seasons at Southeastern University and has two years of eligibility remaining. He was a Second-Team All-Sun Conference selection in 2024 after recording 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, seven pass breakups and an interception.

Brown made 10 appearances during his freshman season and had three solo tackles and a pass breakup. He will become the seventh member of his family to play football for the Gators.

Brown’s father, Vincent Brown Sr., played running back at Florida under Urban Meyer and was part of the 2008 national championship team. His dad also coached him at Wildwood High School.

“The time I was there, I played up under Urban Meyer and I was there with Percy [Harvin] and [Tim] Tebow and that time frame. It was unmatched,” Vincent Brown Sr. told Gators Online last summer. “It was a big mental check every day. Practices were very competitive. Man, they did a hell of a job of getting us prepared for Saturday.”

In addition to his father, Brown’s uncle (Vernell Jr.) and grandfather (Vernell Sr.) played football at the University of Florida along with two of his great uncles, Charlie and Johnell Brown.

Brown is the older cousin of Florida wide receiver signee Vernell Brown III. Both players are enrolling at UF this month and will be teammates again after playing together at Wildwood.

“There is a long tradition between the Browns and the University of Florida,” Vernell Brown Sr. told Gators Online last summer. “My brother Charlie actually played for the University of Florida back in 1973 under the Doug Dickey era. He was actually the first receiver to sign with UF out of the Brown family and then my brother Johnell came along in 1979. He actually signed as a quarterback with UF as well from Gainesville High School and played for Charlie Pell.

“Then along came Vernell, who actually paid for Ron Zook and Urban Meyer. And then my young son Vince came along. He played under Urban Meyer and then Vernell came back under the Dan Mullen era on the staff and stayed on with Billy Napier. My time at UF was great, man. I learned a lot. I made some mistakes, but I also learned from them. And I can’t thank UF enough for giving me the upbringing and the know-how to be a man and to be a student athlete.”

Brown family history with University of Florida

WR Charlie Brown (1973)
RB Johnell Brown (1979-82)
DB Vernell Brown Sr. (1982-85)
DB Vernell Brown Jr. (2001-05), (2018-2022 on staff)
RB Vincent Brown Sr. (2007-09)
WR Vernell Brown III (2025)
DB Vincent Brown Jr. (2025)

Kendall Brown (current UF track athlete)
Emiliana Brown (UF graduate)
Brittany Brown (UF graduate)

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