Ricky Pearsall Talks Return to Gators, QB Competition, Billy Gonzales

Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall opens up about his return to the program for a second season, the Gators' quarterback compeititon and new assistant coach Billy Gonzales.

Photo: Ricky Pearsall; Credit: Alex Shepherd

Two days before the Jan. 16 deadline to go one way or the other, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall announced his intention to return to Florida for a second season with the Gators and fifth year of college football over entering the 2023 NFL Draft.

It wasn't an easy decision for Pearsall, a former three-year Arizona State Sun Devil, to make. 

He posted career-highs in Florida's offense as a 2022 transfer with 661 receiving yards and six total touchdowns, and the quarterback who threw those passes — Anthony Richardson — left the program for the pros the month before Pearsall reached his verdict. 

But discussions with his family and "a lot of praying" led Pearsall to believe one more season in Gainesville under head coach Billy Napier was in his best interest.

“All kinds of things, man. It was a bunch of aspects going into it really, some personal, but just really trusting in [Napier] and the rest of the coaching staff," Pearsall explained. "I think this team is talented, you know, we got a lot of parts that are coming back and I think we got big plans ahead, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

However, Pearsall admitted, the quarterback change taking place within the Gators' offense was on his mind as he weighed his options. 

Richardson, backup Jalen Kitna, and class of 2023 commitments Jaden Rashada and Marcus Stokes were removed from the team's future plans for various reasons in the two months leading up to Pearsall making his choice. 

Napier and UF's coaching staff were transparent with Pearsall during the process, though, informing him of the team's then-imminent acquisition of Wisconsin transfer passer Graham Mertz. His relationship with 2022 reserves, Jack Miller III and Max Brown, were also reassuring, particularly his ties with Miller that date back to their high school careers in Arizona. 

"I already had a relationship with Max and Jack, and then the coaches were telling me about Mertz coming in," Pearsall recalled, "so I was just reaching out to him [to] get a feel for him.

"You know, they just made me comfortable for coming back, and I felt comfortable coming back. I know my own abilities and they know their own abilities, and just developing that relationship and trust with one another is probably the most important part.” 

Mertz, a three-year starter for the Badgers, and Miller, an Ohio State transfer entering his second season in Florida's offense — although year one was hampered by a thumb injury, are currently contending for the role of QB1 for the Gators in 2023. 

Pearsall has been pleased with both signal-callers throughout the first 10 practices of camp, praising Mertz and Miller for their spirits and leadership displayed throughout the competition to start.

"They’re both two really smart, talented guys, you know, and they’re battling right now," Pearsall said. "That’s what these practices are about, you know? Coach Napier does a good job of putting them in situations where they have to battle for it, and they’re both doing a really good job.

"We still got a lot of practices and time left before we make that decision, but so far I like what I’m seeing.”

Regardless of who throws him passes this year, Pearsall will be on a mission to further boost his stock as a draft prospect after a productive 2022 campaign. 

In addition to a new quarterback, Pearsall also has a new coach overseeing his development. 

Billy Gonzales was hired as Keary Colbert's successor in Florida's wide receiver coaching position in March, returning to the program for a third stint after manning the same role under former head coaches Urban Meyer and Dan Mullen. Percy Harvin, Kadarius Toney and Van Jefferson are just a few former UF-turned-pro pass-catchers that come to mind when thinking of Gonzales' résumé.

"He put a lot of guys in the league, you know, especially coming out of here, Florida," Pearsall said. 

"I’m just trying to take as much knowledge away from him as I can. A bunch of receiver coaches have their own ideologies and knowledge that they can give to me and I can take away from them, and that’s the biggest thing for me, is how much knowledge I can take away from Coach G. He’s a knowledgeable guy." 

Under Gonzales' tutelage, Pearsall aspires to sharpen every area of his game but is specifically focusing on consistently making big plays after the catch. He hopes to maintain a "touchdown mentality" every time he has the football in his hands. 

Pearsall also aims to contribute as a punt returner during his final collegiate season, much like his father did at Northern Arizona in the 1990s en route to All-American honors as a special teamer. The younger Pearsall made his career debut in that respect with Florida in 2022, averaging 6.8 yards per return across four attempts. 

"I just gotta go get it. I just gotta go take it. I gotta go out there in the field and I got to perform very well," Pearsall stated about the upcoming campaign. 

"I'm hungry and I'm determined to do that. I'm just ready." 

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