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Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall will return to school in 2023

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•01/14/23•

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Photo courtesy of UAA Communications

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators receiver Ricky Pearsall is coming back to Gainesville. Pearsall announced the decision on his Instagram account.

Pearsall caught 33 passes for 661 yards and 5 touchdowns in his first season as a Gator. The 2022 season was Pearsall’s most productive on the field by far. As a high school recruit, Pearsall stuck close to his home and committed to Arizona State. As a freshman, he hauled in seven passes for 128 yards. In a shortened season in 2020, he caught six passes including his first career touchdown.

His breakout season came as a junior. Pearsall grabbed 48 passes for 580 yards and four touchdowns for the Sun Devils.

Getting Ricky Pearsall back in 2023 is huge for the Gators. Without him, Florida would have only had two true options to play in the slot with Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman and freshman Eugene Wilson.

Bowman caught seven passes for 138 yards in his first season with the Gators. Wilson signed with Florida but won’t enroll until later this summer. The incoming freshman from Tampa was one of the most dynamic players in the state.

“One of the more dynamic slot, run-after-catch returners. Just a very explosive, instinctive player. He does some really unique things on tape, relative to adjusting to the ball, run after catch. He’s dynamic,” Napier said of Wilson on Signing Day. “You can throw an intermediate short pass to this guy, and he’s a one touchdown player. He also played both ways. He played corner, and he was fantastic there too. He’s tough. Really excited about what he can — I think he’s one of these players, very polished. He’ll bring a lot to our team right away.”

Pearsall leads Gators’ receivers room

Pearsall and Xzavier Henderson return as the most senior receivers. Henderson has started 13 games and played in 33. Henderson has 73 career receptions for 835 yards, and five touchdowns in three seasons.

The Gators also return Marcus Burke, Kahleil Jackson, Caleb Douglas, Ja’Quavion Fraziars, and Ja’Markis Weston. Two freshmen, Andy Jean and Aidan Mizell also enrolled and will be with the Gators this spring.

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