Just two weeks ago, Florida was 4-0, ranked No. 8 in the country and coming off a dominant win over an Ole Miss team that reached the College Football Playoff Semifinals a year ago.
Since then, the Gators have been outscored 83-36 in consecutive losses to South Carolina and Missouri. After the 38-19 loss to the Gamecocks, sophomore wide receiver Dallas Wilson felt compelled to speak up and share a message with his teammates.
“I felt like it was a good moment. After the prayer and everything and after Coach Sumrall was done talking. I asked Coach Sumrall, ‘Can I say something?’ I just said what my heart felt. That was it,” Wilson said.
Wilson said his message centered on keeping the team together and maintaining its focus as the Gators navigate a difficult stretch, urging his teammates to be more intentional in their work and avoid outside distractions.
“Really just to keep spirits high,” Wilson said. “Keep doing the things we are doing, but like, you know, be more intentional with what we’re doing when we’re working. Let’s cut all the small chatter and stuff. Let’s stay away from the media and things like that. We are a team. We have got to stay together. It’s the point of the season where people are looking for us to get torn apart. Or like oh these are the Florida Gators from like then, always trying to push the narrative. It’s always good to try and keep the team tight knit.”
Wilson’s teammates responded well to the speech. Junior linebacker Myles Graham was asked about it Tuesday.
“I loved it. I think it was called for,” Graham said. “I was locked in and I was really proud of him. He has a lot of passion, a lot of energy, every single day and it makes our team better. So that was something we needed in the moment and I’m proud of him and I appreciate him stepping up and saying what needed to be said.”
As a sophomore, Wilson isn’t necessarily the typical voice you’d expect to step up and address the team, but his energy and passion have made him a presence in the locker room. Graham, a leader on the defensive side himself, said it was good to see Wilson step up and emphasized the need for more players to do the same.
“It was great having Dallas step up, you know, having the same voice over and over again, it happens, that’s part of being a leader, that’s part of being somebody someone looks to, but we do need other guys to step up and help get the team where we need to go.”
Florida will look to bounce back in Week 7 when it travels to Austin, Texas, to face the Longhorns. It’s been a rough two weeks for the Gators, but according to Wilson, the team’s morale remains where it needs to be.
“Spirits are high. We just have to keep working towards, like, sticking to the basics,” Wilson said. “Doing what you were brought here to do. Doing everything that you were taught to do and being that guy for the team. That’s where we are at right now.”