‘Extremely talented’: Eugene Wilson III flashes in Florida Gators debut

SALT LAKE CITY — One of the bright spots in Florida’s season-opening loss at Utah on Thursday was the play of true freshman receiver Eugene Wilson III. The former five-star recruit lived up to the hype in his UF debut.

Wilson was the Gators’ highest-graded player on offense against the Utes, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wilson touched the ball a total of seven times in three different ways, although just four of those plays show up in the box score. But from the moment his number was first called, it’s clear that he has a different gear.

Wilson, who earned five-star status from On3, made his first play as a Gator in the run game with a 9-yard carry on the opening snap of Florida’s field-goal drive. He didn’t have any more touches on offense until the fourth quarter.

That’s when Wilson showed how much of a weapon he can be in the passing game. During UF’s 13-play, 98-yard touchdown drive, redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz kept the series alive with a 13-yard completion to him on third-and-7.

Mertz then targeted Wilson on the two-point try and they connected for the conversion to cut the deficit to 24-11. Mertz went back to him twice on Florida’s last possession, including an 11-yard reception on the first snap of the series.

“He’s extremely talented, extremely talented,” Mertz said of Wilson. “I mean, I’ve been in college a few years. I haven’t seen any a young guy that fast, that twitchy that retains information that quickly and knows how to get open, but he’s shifty, man.”

Wilson’s most impressive play of the night didn’t count. Three downs later, he caught an outlet pass from Mertz and blew by Utah redshirt freshman cornerback Tao Johnson with a great juke move. Wilson raced down the sidelines for a 15-yard gain. However, the first down called back because of a holding penalty.

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Gators WR Ricky Pearsall on Eugene Wilson III

Wilson was also involved on special teams as a return specialist. He fielded a pair of punts in the game, although one of them was a fair catch negated by the “equipment violation” for being on the field with UF junior cornerback Jason Marshall Jr., who also wears No. 3.

Florida coach Billy Napier clarified after the game that Marshall wasn’t part of their punt safe package. “We were supposed to get him off,” he said.

Wilson did make one freshman mistake. He decided to field the other punt return inside his own 5-yard line and pinned the Gators deep in their territory. Mertz threw an interception three plays later, giving the Utes a short field as they scored and took a 24-3 lead.

Nonetheless, Wilson’s speed and explosiveness were on display in Salt Lake City, and he figures to be one of the Gators’ top playmakers on offense this season. He finished with two catches for 24 yards, a 9-yard carry and his two-point conversion in his first collegiate game.

“He’s a really quick dude. He’s quick,” Pearsall said of Wilson. “He’s just a playmaker. It kind of looks easy for him when he’s out there. He snags the ball very naturally, obviously has really good routes. He’s really quick in and out of his routes, so I think that’s really important.

“He’s an explosive receiver. Anytime he’s got the ball in his hands, he’s got a chance to take it all the way. I think that’s one thing you guys should be looking forward to.”