ESPN: Florida Freshman WR a Top 50 CFB Newcomer in 2023

Florida will rely heavily on young talent in 2023. ESPN believes one of the Gators' freshmen pass-catchers, Eugene Wilson III, is up to the challenge.

Photo: Eugene Wilson III; Credit: Zach Goodall 

Billy Napier has embraced the idea that Florida will be a young football team in 2023.

"We’re going to be dependent on young players this year." the Gators head coach said on Monday. "But I think we've got good ones.”

According to ESPN's Tom VanHaaren, one of those good ones is freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III. From VanHaaren's perspective, the Gators' offense welcomed one of college football's top 50 newcomers this offseason — and of that group, one of the top 21 rookies — in Wilson. 

VanHaaren classified the qualifying prospects not only with their high school rankings and previous production in mind. Also in consideration are team needs and immediate role projections for each player. 

Below is why Wilson made VanHaaren's cut, at No. 50 overall. 

Note: ESPN states that Wilson enrolled early at Florida, which is incorrect. He joined the program in May, following spring practices.

Wilson, the No. 7 athlete in the class [per ESPN], enrolled early at Florida and has already made a name for himself. Coach Billy Napier said he thinks Wilson will make the team better. Napier also mentioned Wilson's speed as an aspect that has stood out this spring and given that Florida's offense was ranked 77th in pass yards per game, Wilson and fellow freshman Andy Jean will be welcomed additions.

Wilson, 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, is the son of former eight-year NFL defensive back Eugene Wilson II. Although he did not pursue the same positional duties as his father, the younger Wilson has already generated ample hype across the Florida fanbase for his athletic and agile skill set, something UF has recently lacked at wide receiver.

QB Graham Mertz to freshman WR Eugene Wilson III on a screen.

Get the feeling we’ll see manufactured touches for the #Gators freshman WR and NFL legacy early and often in his career. pic.twitter.com/rzn8jnHn6l

— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 5, 2023

Gators redshirt junior nickel cornerback Jaydon Hill offered a scouting report of Wilson when players reported for fall training camp on July 30. At that point, Wilson was limited with a soft tissue injury yet still impressing his teammates in offseason workouts. 

"Explosiveness. I could see his play-making ability early on," Hill described of Wilson. "He's kind of been a little limited right now, but like as far as just watching him go, I've matched up with him a couple of times. He definitely can go, and he's going to make a lot of plays for us."

Sports Illustrated considered Wilson to be the No. 2 slot receiver and No. 68 overall prospect in the class of 2023.

Before signing with Florida, Wilson gathered 108 receptions for 1,816 yards and 18 touchdowns in 28 varsity games with Tampa (Fla.) Gaither High School. He committed to the Gators in July 2022. 

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