Gators WR Eugene Wilson III named to PFF 2023 All-Freshman Team

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•12/24/23•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Eugene Wilson III has earned another postseason accolade. Florida’s starting receiver was named to the Pro Football Focus 2023 All-Freshman Team.

Wilson was one of seven SEC players to make the list, and it marked his fifth postseason honor. He earned spots on True Freshman All-American teams from On3 and 247Sports.

Wilson was also named to the 2023 Coaches All-SEC Freshman team and a College Football Network Freshman All-American Honorable Mention.

Wilson III was the highest graded receiver for the Gators during the 2023 season, earning a grade of 81.6 from PFF.

Wilson led all FBS true freshmen in receptions per game (6.1) while ranking second in receptions (61), tied for second in receiving TDs (six), fourth in receiving yards per game (53.8) and fourth in receiving yards (538). 

With six receiving touchdowns, Wilson III had at least two more touchdown grabs than every other true freshman in the SEC regardless of position, with Vanderbilt’s London Humphreys ranking second with four.

Wilson also became the first Florida true freshman to eclipse 500 receiving yards since Antonio Callaway in 2015, who holds the UF freshman receiving record with 678 yards.

Wilson earned a starting job early in the season, but he suffered an injury against Tennessee and missed two weeks. He returned for the Vanderbilt game and went on a tear in SEC play.

Wilson caught eight passes for 64 yards and a touchdown vs. the ‘Dores. Then at South Carolina, he had his first career game with over 100 yards of total offense (83 receiving, 21 rushing).

“I think 3 is unique,” UF coach Billy Napier said of Wilson after the South Carolina game. “You know, he presents you opportunities to be creative and get him plays. I mean he made some incredible plays out there. One of the plays that I think was awesome in the game was — Coach Spurrier used to say, ‘God smiled on the Gators’ — well, when we threw that slant to Ricky [Pearsall] and it got tipped up in the air and Tre Wilson caught it and kept running, I would say God smiled on the Gators.”

Wilson made a season-high 11 catches for 75 yards and a score against No. 1 Georgia. He faced Arkansas next and set career highs for receiving yards (90) and TDs in a game (2).

Wilson finished with six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown at LSU and had one more receiving touchdown in the SEC regular season finale against No. 9 Missouri.

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