Multiple Florida Gators freshmen positioned to be factors in 2023

On Friday morning, On3 senior national college football reporter Matt Zenitz dished out 20 true freshmen in the SEC who are expected to make an immediate impact in the fall.

This comes after he gathered intel from team sources, and with plenty of first-year talent in Gainesville that previously received All-American honors, it’s no surprise Florida is represented on the list.

According to Zenitz, wide receiver Eugene Wilson III and defensive lineman Kelby Collins are in position to be factors later this year. Both prospects were awarded Under Armour All-American honors prior to relocating to the Swamp, with Collins having been named the Game MVP of Team Speed. Wilson, however, unfortunately chose not to play and did not make the trip to Orlando.

Collins, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive lineman from Gardendale, Alabama, chose Florida over Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson and others. His decision, however, truly came down to the Gators and Crimson Tide.

That was a major victory for Billy Napier’s staff, especially since Alabama never stopped recruiting the in-state product.

During April’s Orange and Blue Game, Collins made his presence felt with five tackles. All he has done is clock in and go to work, resulting in plenty of positive reviews.

“He’s a football player,” Florida EDGE coach Mike Peterson said of Collins during the spring. “He’s an aggressive guy. He don’t say too much, but lately he’s been kind of speaking up. Two, three years from now, you’re looking at probably one of the team captains.”

Wilson finished the 2023 cycle as a five-star prospect

Wilson, an On3 five-star wide receiver who graduated from Tampa (Fla.) Gaither, is a big play waiting to happen who can dissect defenses in a variety of ways. The Gators had been in need of a game changer in the slot and got exactly that in Wilson. Don’t be surprised if he assists as a return man as well.

The No. 3-ranked wide receiver from the 2023 class was offered in February of his junior year, immediately labeled Florida his leader, and then made a commitment in July.

Once Wilson announced for the Gators, there was no recruiting drama whatsoever.

Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings, opened up about Wilson’s skill set earlier this year.

“The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder has high-end speed, functional movement skills with the ability to create separation within his routes. He’s also shown plus ball skills and the ability make defenders miss in space with regularity. Wilson is a highly competitive player who often does not leave the field on Friday nights.

“Though he missed some time as a senior, Wilson was very productive – averaging around 109 receiving yards, 1.6 receiving touchdowns and .7 interceptions per game. The overall advanced nature of his game shouldn’t come as a surprise. His father, Eugene Wilson, won two Super Bowls as a safety with the New England Patriots.

“Given his technical ability and Florida’s need for a slot receiver, we would not be surprised to see Wilson getting on the field early on in his career as a Gator.” — On3’s Charles Power

To view the Gators’ entire list of signees from the 2023 class, CLICK HERE.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.