Two Florida Gators named Freshmen All-Americans

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•01/16/24•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two Florida Gators were honored as Freshman All-Americans on Tuesday. Tight end Arlis Boardingham and wide receiver Eugene Wilson were named to the Football Writers Association of American Freshman All-American list.

Wilson and Boardingham are the first Gators to be named to the list since 2016. Florida is just one of four schools to have two players on the Freshman All-American team joining Miami, Oklahoma and Tulane.

The duo were members of a Gators’ freshman class that were significant contributors to Florida’s offensive output during the 2023 season.

Boardingham played in all twelve games, making two starts in the process. The California native concluded the 2023 campaign with 26 receptions for 289 yards and four scores. Boardingham logged a career day in the Gators’ contest against Vanderbilt as the tight end recorded seven catches for 99 yards and found the end zone twice. 

Being named to the FWAA Freshman All-American team marks Boardingham’s second postseason honor as he was recognized by the College Football Network as an honorable mention for Freshman All-American.

Wilson, a true freshman from Tampa, Fla., played in 10 games (seven starts) this season and broke out as one of Florida’s strongest offensive pieces.

He concluded his freshman campaign ranking second in multiple receiving categories for the Gators including receptions (61) and yards (538) and leading Florida’s offense in receiving touchdowns (six).

“I think everybody goes through this when you first get into college. You come from high school and you go into college and you start learning it,” Florida quarterback Graham Mertz said of Wilson. “You got a fire hose just spraying you in the face but then there’s a point where it just clicks. I think the thing for Tre is he came in in the summer and for him, it was how fast he could take that and learn it really quick and then go out there and play fast. The big thing for him is how quickly he translated it. It really freed him up to just go play his ball. He’s only going to get better.”

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

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