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Repetition is key for Gators receiver Ricky Pearsall

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•09/09/22•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A few weeks before the season began, the media was waiting in the indoor practice facility for media availability. On the north end of the facility, we gathered, trading small talk while we waited. On the other end, Ricky Pearsall was busy on the Jugs machine.

It’s not uncommon for receivers to spend some extra time on the Jugs working on their hands. On this day, however, the practice had ended a while ago and Pearsall was the last player on the field.

Pearsall lives on the Jugs machine. He’ll stand in front of it twice a day. He insists on catching 100 consecutive passes, no drops or bobbles before he’ll call it a day.

“I’ve always been a hard worker. So I think that’s something that’s really going for me is my work ethic,” Pearsall said. “I think that just over time has developed, all these things. I was a freshman in college. I actually switched to receiver my sophomore year in high school, so that’s when I really started running routes and stuff like that and taking it serious. Ever since then, just going out there every single day with the same mindset that I’m going to get better at something. You know, one percent every day is what I live by.” 

Repetition for individual improvement is important. Coming to a new team, getting repetition, chemistry, and cohesiveness with your new quarterback is vital.

Pearsall suffers a setback

The Gators weren’t even full two padded practices when it happened. Pearsall suffered a bone bruise in his left foot that would keep him out of practice for more than two weeks.

It’s not the worst thing that could have happened. It wasn’t a season-ending injury. But it was going to prevent him from getting live reps with Anthony Richardson.

The chemistry between a quarterback and his receiver is vital. Timing needs to be precise, and every receiver will run a five-yard in, 10-yard comeback or a slant differently. Pearsall was missing valuable time with his new quarterback.

“It was very unfortunate because I just got here and that was my second week of practice. And it was really unfortunate because I wanted to be out there with my guys,” Pearsall said. “I just got here and I want to show everybody what I got. And I felt like I was only there for a few days and I couldn’t really show everybody what I got.”

If you’re a casual fan who just turned the TV on, you probably wondered who was wearing No. 1. You also wouldn’t have guessed he missed more than half of camp.

Pearsall led the Gators with 67 receiving yards against Utah. All four of his catches went for first downs. He didn’t look rusty and certainly had chemistry with Richardson.

Something was missing, though. A touchdown. Pearsall has his eyes set on getting into the end zone this weekend against Kentucky and getting hold of the “Baller Baton” afterward.

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