Ricky Pearsall invited to NFL Combine as draft deadline nears
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If Ricky Pearsall decides to turn pro, he has a spot waiting for him in Indianapolis. The Florida receiver has been invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, he revealed via social media.
Pearsall posted a screenshot of his invite with the captain “thank you Lord” on his Instagram story. He has yet to announce whether he will return to Florida or enter the NFL Draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 16.
Pearsall revealed he was weighing his options after the Las Vegas Bowl.
“There’s a lot of aspects that go into it. But, you know, I’m still thinking about it, being patient with it,” Pearsall said. “But I love being here, and I think that’s a really important aspect for my decision. I love Coach [Billy Napier] and all my teammates, so I’m proud of these guys.”
Ricky Pearsall with the Gators
The former Arizona State standout was one of the most important additions this offseason to UF’s roster, boosting the talent at wide receiver. Pearsall finished 2021 with 48 receptions, 580 receiving yards and four touchdowns, leading the Sun Devils in all three categories.
He improved his numbers this season with the Gators as Anthony Richardson’s top target. Pearsall led the team in receiving yards (661) and receiving touchdowns (five) on 33 catches. He averaged 20.0 yards per reception, which ranked first in the SEC and No. 7 nationally.
Pearsall had a pair of 100-yard receiving games on the road against rivals Tennessee and Florida State, including a career-high 148 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season finale. He recorded a reception in 27-consecutive games at Arizona State and Florida.
Pearsall also rushed for 113 yards on eight carries, including a 76-yard TD against EWU. It marked the longest rushing play by an FBS WR this season and also tied for the third-longest run by a UF receiver in the last 25 years, tying Josh Hammond’s 76-yard TD vs. Kentucky in 2019.
Florida’s draft departures, WR room
Should Pearsall make the jump, he would be the seventh UF underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft and 10th overall player, along with Richardson, Justin Shorter, Richard Gouraige, O’Cyrus Torrence, Rashad Torrence II, Gervon Dexter Sr. and super seniors Amari Burney, Ventrell Miller and Trey Dean III.
In addition to Shorter, Florida has also lost wide receivers Daejon Reynolds and Trent Whittemore to the transfer portal and super senior Jordan Pouncey. UF will return six scholarship players at the position aside from Pearsall, including starter Xzavier Henderson, Ja’Quavion Fraziars and Caleb Douglas.
The Gators signed a trio of four-star wideouts in the 2023 class, Aidan Mizell and Andy Jean set to enroll early. Their top-rated signee is Eugene Wilson III, who is ranked the nation’s No. 5 receiver and No. 31 overall prospect by On3.
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/18141240/Untitled-design-72-2.png)
