Florida Gators 2024 Recruits to Know: Wide Receivers
The Florida Gators return their leading receiver from a year ago for the 2023 season in senior Ricky Pearsall, who reeled in 33 catches for 661 yards and five touchdowns.
However, outside of Pearsall, there isn't much production to speak of with the loss of Justin Shorter to the NFL and Xzavier Henderson to the transfer portal — Florida's second and third leading receivers in yardage in 2022, respectively.
The Gators did bring in a talented trio of freshmen from the 2023 recruiting cycle in Andy Jean, Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III, two of which, Jean and Mizell, were on campus in January to participate in spring practice. As a result, Florida will likely expect some production from the young guys in the upcoming campaign.
However, replenishing the room with more dynamic pass catchers to serve as viable weapons in the offensive attack remains a priority in the 2024 class.
Thus far, Florida's secured wideout Izaiah Williams' commitment and plan to add two-to-three more bodies in the room in the coming months.
All Gators looks closely at some of the names you need to know at the receiver position head of the busy summer visit period.
Izaiah Williams, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day School
Izaiah Williams, the aforementioned lone commit at the position, was identified as a priority target when the Gators extended an offer on March 23. Despite arriving late to the party, Florida closed the gap quickly.
Williams exploded onto the recruiting scene as a sophomore, raking in offers from the likes of Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Michigan and many more. However, Williams missed the vast majority of his junior year due to a collarbone injury which caused his recruitment to slow down.
That, however, did not discourage or change UF's approach in their pursuit of the burner on the boundary. It ultimately ended in a commitment to the Gainesville-based program on May 5, with Williams cashing in on the opportunity to perform for his "dream school" at the next level.
The Tampa, Fla., product is firmly locked into his spot in the 2024 class, and has his lone official visit of the cycle scheduled for June 2-4 in Gainesville.
TJ Moore, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Catholic
Moore is another Tampa area prospect like Williams, but he is a different type of receiver. Williams, considered a smaller speed guy, measures in at 6-foot, 172 pounds, whereas Moore presents coveted size on the outside at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds.
Moore's recruitment took off at the beginning of the year when he received offers from Oregon, Clemson, Ohio State, USC, Georgia, Notre Dame and many more to go along with the Gators in a two-week span. The increase in potential suitors proved warranted once the spring/summer camp and 7-on-7 circuit began, as he's become a mainstay in headlines and on social media with his performances.
However, even with the number of interested eyes he's drawn, Florida remains one of the two teams seemingly leading his recruitment at this stage.
Moore has two official visits scheduled for the summer, where he'll visit the other school that's received buzz for his talents in Clemson (June 2-4) before traveling to Florida (June 9-11). He's indicated that a commitment announcement may not be too far away following those visits.
Those multi-day stays on campus in Gainesville and Death Valley could go a long way in deciding who lands the talented pass-catcher from the Sunshine State.
As a result, Moore is arguably the top uncommitted priority for the Gators staff at this time. Florida fans will want to watch the talented X-receiver moving into the summer months.
Jeremiah Smith, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Smith, the nation's No. 1 receiver and arguably the top prospect regardless of position, is committed to renowned assistant Brian Hartline and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Typically, when a wideout is committed to OSU, his recruitment would be a wrap with nothing more to see.
However, the Chaminade-Madonna product keeps showing up on UF's campus. It's left the door open for Florida in his recruitment, even if it's the smallest crack.
Smith has been to Gainesville thrice in the last year and is scheduled to visit the Gators June 2-4 officially.
DJ Lagway and Jeremiah Smith visiting Florida in March 2023.
Florida quarterback commit DJ Lagway is running point in UF's recruitment of the elite playmaker, constantly in Smith's ear about staying in-state to operate as his top option for the future. Smith has been receptive to Lagway and the Gators' pitch in the spring, and he will be able to hear more once they are on campus together again in June.
Smith moved his official visit date around to get more face-time with Lagway, which is good news for the Gators as it suggests the duo's relationship is growing.
While it still seems like a long shot, the famous Wayne Gretzky quote rings true in this situation: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Florida is undoubtedly taking its shot.
Joshisa Trader, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Chaminade-Madonna is loaded with talent, and Trader is the second in the elite pass-catching tandem the Lions trot out on the field every Friday night with the aforementioned Smith.
Trader is a prospect who could line up on either side of the ball at the next level but is being recruited by most to play wide receiver.
Possessing an explosive and dynamic skillset to present versatility in the areas he can align, Trader has the capacity to play inside or outside once he arrives at the collegiate level. His talents have shone at Chimande-Madonna, even with the uber-talented Smith opposite him.
His recruitment is relatively wide open at this point, with three in-state schools — Florida, Florida State, and Miami — pushing for his services alongside out-of-state schools Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama.
Trader has visited Florida three times in the last year, and his interest in the program has taken an uptick since the re-addition of Billy Gonzales as wide receiver's coach on UF's staff, deeming their bond a "great relationship" earlier this spring.
Trader has yet to schedule any official visits, so it will be interesting to see his direction in his search for a collegiate home.
However, Florida is certainly a program in the running to receive an OV when he enters that stage of his recruitment and, therefore, a dark horse candidate for his pledge.
Jerrae Hawkins, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
When you talk about pass catchers with speed in the 2024 class, it is impossible not to mention Jerrae Hawkins.
Hawkins checks the verified speed box that the Florida head coach values greatly in his evaluation process. Clocking a 10.45 100-meter time back in 2022, IMG Academy's newest weapon is an explosive play waiting to happen.
Hawkins, originally from West Virginia, transferred down to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) this offseason and ventured up to Gainesville in April to get a closer look at what the program offers.
The coaching staff made a strong impression on Hawkins to pin down an official visit date to UF for June 9. The Gators join Miami (June 2) and Penn State (June 23) as schools scheduled to earn his presence this summer.
As Florida attempts to add dynamic playmaking and speed to the WR room out of the slot, Hawkins aligns to be a top candidate for the endeavor.
Mario Craver, Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville
When Napier took over at Florida, he spoke about prioritizing three key components when evaluating prospects: height, weight, and verified speed. Craver certainly provides the speed.
Craver, a track star for Cougars, has posted multiple sub-11 second 100-meter times, including a personal best of 10.74 in April of 2022.
What he lacks in size, standing at 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, he more than makes up for in speed, explosiveness, and wiggle. Craver consistently blows by defenders to get downfield for big plays and can turn routine five-to-10-yard receptions into 80-yard touchdowns.
While Craver hasn't scheduled any official visits yet, he's been on UF's campus multiple times and has shown signs that suggest Gainesville is trending to be his collegiate destination.
Craver recently listed the Gators in his top group of schools, along with Auburn and Ole Miss.
Michael Turner, New Orleans (La.) John Curtis
Speed, speed and more speed.
Turner is another prospect who checks off the verified speed box in Florida's WR recruiting criteria, posting multiple sub-11 second 100-meter times on the track, including a 10.59 as a junior.
Are we starting to see a trend?
Turner has seen his recruitment pick up over the last month with a plethora of power five schools extending offers starting with the Gators on April 18. Since then, he has received attention from Georgia, Auburn, Miami, Tennessee and more, opening up a new world of possibilities to the talented Louisiana talent.
While Turner hasn't taken many visits to this point in his recruiting process — only a handful — he does have plans to get out to several schools over the summer once his schedule clears up.
Florida will certainly be one of the schools he visits, as he told All Gators he wants to get to Gainesville "as soon as possible" to see the program that has made him a priority since extending the offer back in April.
Turner's reciprocated that interest, tabbing UF the early leader in his recruitment following the offer.
Given the staff's ties to The Boot and a strong presence of wide receiver talent produced from the state in recent years, the Gators will heavily pursue Turner throughout the remainder of the 2024 cycle.
His pledge would equip Florida nicely with home-run talent on the boundary.
Honorable Mention
Jalewis Solomon, Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County
Elijah Moore, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel
Trey Horne, Rabun Gap (Ga.) Rabun Gap-Nacoochee
Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.
Get your Gators football, basketball and other sporting events tickets from SI Tickets here.