Naples standout defensive back Kerry Brown announces verbal commitment to Minnesota

Another Naples standout is headed to the Power Five level.

Kerry Brown, a 3-star defensive back, announced on social media that he'll trek to the midwest to play for P.J. Fleck and Minnesota.

"First and foremost, I'd like to thank the Lord for everything he has done for me and for putting me in the position I am today," Brown's Twitter post read. "Secondly, I want to thank my lovely family, especially my mom, for supporting me and helping me become the man I am today.

"Lastly, I'm thankful for my coaches and teammates pushing me every day, on and off the field, and supporting me to be the best version of myself. With that being said, I'd like to announce my commitment to the University of Minnesota!"

Brown, a 2021 Southwest Florida Defensive Player of the Year finalist, was a menace on the defensive side as a hybrid, tallying 82 tackles (third best), while adding three interceptions, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.

The 6-foot, 175 pounder is ranked 891st by 247Sports and joins a class that is currently ranked 15th in the nation, although that is likely to change. The Golden Gophers have one 4-star prospect and 10 3-star prospects committed in the 2023 class currently.

Brown is the second local to pick Minnesota in the past year, and is slated to join Lehigh grad Aidan Gousby in Minneapolis next fall.

Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Minnesota football recruiting: Naples 3-star Kerry Brown picks Golden Gophers