Why Eugene Wilson could be poised to contribute early for Florida

As far as the offense goes, people don’t seem too high on Florida. However, while that may be the case, GatorOnline’s Nick de la Torre is warning everyone now about freshman receiver Eugene Wilson and the role that he could end up playing this season in Gainesville.

During Sunday night’s episode of ‘Andy Staples On3’, de la Torre joined Staples and answered a question on the early impact of the former four-star. Had it not been for the return of one of Florida’s better weapons, he believes that he would have been a lock to start in the slot in The Swamp.

“This is a kid who I think, if Ricky Pearsall goes in to go to the NFL, would be your starting slot receiver. That’s how highly I think of him,” de la Torre said. “He came to campus, he’s benching over 300 pounds, squatting over 400. And he’s 5’10, a buck eighty…but putting up college reps in the weight room.”

“This is a kid who can make moves in a phone booth, make you miss in a phone booth,” said de la Torre. “I think he’ll get some chances on punt return as well.”

On3’s Industry Ranking had Wilson as a four-star prospect who came just outside the Top-100 overall and finished as the No. 20 WR in his class. However, On3’s Ranking was higher on him overall as he reached five-star status in those ratings. He also jumped up to being a Top-35 recruit in the nation and the No. 4 WR.

With that kind of talent, he is someone who can pop early for Florida. In de la Torre’s opinion, he should fit right in and give more of an opportunity to the Gator’s other targets in the passing game.

“If you can get Wilson in? That allows Ricky to go outside,” said de la Torre. “Then I think you have a couple of guys, with Caleb Douglas, Eugene Wilson, and Ricky Pearsall, that can give you a nice threat in the passing game for Graham Mertz.”

Pearsall hypes up Florida’s wide receiver room

Florida WR Ricky Pearsall was the tip of the spear for the Gators’ passing game last year. He ended up leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Heading into 2023, though, Pearsall believes he’ll be surrounded by some newer dynamic playmakers on the outside.

“Yeah, I mean, I think we have a really dangerous group,” Pearsall said during SEC Media Days. “All these young guys that came in, they’re extremely talented. We already had a talented room even without them.”

The Gators lost standout wide receiver Justin Shorter to the NFL. They also lost their leader in receptions last season, Xzavier Henderson, to the transfer portal.

Ttheir returning group paired with their young incoming talent has Pearsall optimistic about the Gators’ pass catchers.  

“Now it just adds onto our talent and makes us even more stronger in there” Pearsall said. “I think all the young guys are going to come in and make impacts going on to this season.”

The Gators’ 2023 signing class ranked No. 5 in the SEC and No. 13 in the country according to On3’s Industry Ranking. In total, it consisted of three standout wide receivers. Aidan Mizell, Andy Jean, and Eugene Wilson III were each four-star prospects. They also all ranked within the top 75 wideouts in the country.

In their short time in Gainesville, they have already impressed the veteran Pearsall.

“You got guys like Andy, Trey, Aidan, they’re all extremely talented in their own ways. Being a leader of the group. Take them under my wing, make sure they’re handling everything like a pro every single day,” Pearsall said.