Billy Napier calls WR Ricky Pearsall a proven playmaker: 'He can get open'
Ricky Pearsall has officially reported to campus for enrollment following his commitment to Florida last Saturday, giving the Gators their sixth player from the transfer portal in the 2022 class.
The former Arizona State receiver is one of the most important additions to UF’s roster. Coming out of spring ball, the wideout position was a priority need for first-year coach Billy Napier in the portal.
The Gators lost their leading receiver from a year ago and returned just three players with starting experience in Justin Shorter, Xzavier Henderson and Trent Whittemore.
Second-team receivers Ja’Quavion Fraziars and Ja’Markis Weston finished the spring on a strong note, but Florida lacks depth behind its top five wideouts.
“We talked about this a lot,” Napier said Thursday prior to his speech in Gainesville. “We’re in an era here where we can add players to the team at certain times of the year, right? December signing day, the winter portal, February signing day and certainly the spring portal. And each individual situation’s case by case, right?
“We felt like Ricky’s skill set fit our team, fit our offense. We had some familiarity. There was some relationships there because the year in Arizona State some of our staff members, some of the common relationships. So, I think Ricky’s a good person.”
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Napier served as ASU’s offensive coordinator in 2017 before becoming the head coach at Louisiana. Two days after Pearsall entered the portal, the Gators scheduled an official visit with him on April 29.
He committed to Florida over Oregon and also took a trip to Auburn. Pearsall finished last season with 48 receptions, 580 receiving yards and four touchdowns, leading the Sun Devils in all three categories.
WATCH: Ricky Pearsall’s ASU highlights
“I think he’s competitive. I think that he’s proved himself,” Napier said of the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Pearsall. “He’s been a very productive player and I think he can get open. I think he can catch the ball. He’s proved to be a run-after-catch player.
“I think he’s got some toughness to his game. He can play on special teams. We’re adding a player that has had a ton of production in the past and we feel like this player can help our team.”
