Eugene Wilson sees room to grow, improve as a receiver

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•03/25/24•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Some of Eugene Wilson III’s first memories are on a football field. His father, Eugene Wilson, won two Super Bowls as a defensive back with the New England Patriots and had his son doing backpedal drills early.

“Coming up, my first couple of years of little league football he had me doing backpedals and stuff in the front yard,” Wilson said. “I had no idea what it meant. I just started at a really young age as a DB.”

Wilson played both ways Gaither High School but he made the decision to focus on being a receiver.

“Really my junior year I went to a camp as a receiver because the drills and stuff were easier,” he said. “I think I was a natural DB because my dad played DB and all that. Felt like I was so young at receiver and that I had so much to learn. I felt like I could really make my money over on the offensive side.”

Wilson may have grown up backpedaling in the front yard with his NFL defensive back father but he’s quickly learning how to play on the other side of the ball. He has a two-time Super Bowl winner to run routes on and even told reporters he’s gotten the better of that matchup back home in Tampa.

“I already did,” Wilson said when asked if he’d broken his dad’s ankles yet while running routes. “
We have a video of that but we’re going to keep that in the family.”

Eugene Wilson thinks he’s just getting started as a receiver

Wilson didn’t enroll at Florida early. Despite showing up in the summer and dealing with hamstring issues at the start of fall camp, he made his presence felt. He played in 10 games, including seven starts at wideout, breaking out as one of Florida’s most effective offensive weapons. Wilson finished his freshman campaign ranking second in multiple receiving categories for Florida, including receptions (61) and yards (538), and leading Florida’s offense in receiving touchdowns (six).

In his mind, though, he’s still learning the intricacies of the position and how to play at the college level. Wilson leaned on Ricky Pearsall to mentor him throughout the 2023 season.

“Shoot, I still look up to him as a mentor. We were just getting in some work last week (when Pearsall was in town for Pro Day). He most definitely took me under his wing,” Wilson said of Pearsall. “If it weren’t for him I wouldn’t be in the shoes I’m in. He most definitely stepped my game up. Not just looking up to him but wanting to better myself because of the level he was on and trying to reach that level.”

Florida will need to replace Pearsall this year and Wilson will be the one tasked with making up most of that production. He knows that there will be more pressure and that he’ll be focused on more by opposing defenses.

“I don’t let all that talk get to my head,” Wilson said. “I just do what I love.”

And Gator Nation loves watching him.

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