The Florida Gators signed three receivers on early signing day and aren’t expected to sign any more out of high school. These incoming freshmen are talented enough to make an immediate impact in 2023. Billy Napier looked for speed in his first full recruiting class and that’s exactly what he got with this trio of receivers.
“These are really good people and fantastic football players,” Billy Napier said during his early signing day press conference.” I think three of the best receivers in the entire country.”
EUGENE WILSON
The Gators beat out Texas A&M for the highly touted receiver out of Tampa, Florida. Wilson isn’t just my favorite receiver in the class, but my favorite signee. He brings a playmaking ability that the Gators have been missing since Kadarius Toney.
Wilson held offers from Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Oregon, Florida State, and of course, Florida.
“Tre Wilson is one of the more dynamic slot, run after catch returners,” Napier said. “Just a very explosive, instinctive player. He does some really unique things on tape, relative to adjusting to the ball, run after catch. He’s dynamic. You can throw an intermediate short pass to this guy, and he’s a one touchdown player.
Check out Wilson’s senior tape here (It’s a must watch).
Eugene “Tre” Wilson III – Senior Szn – Eugene Wilson III highlights – Hudl
Napier likes the fact that Wilson was a two-way player in high school.
“He also played both ways. He played corner, and he was fantastic there too,” Napier said. “He’s tough. Really excited about what he can — I think he’s one of these players, very polished. He’ll bring a lot to our team right away.”
Wilson’s father had an eight-year career in the NFL as a defensive back from 2003-2010, winning two super bowls with the New England Patriots during that span.
Wilson is the only receiver that won’t enroll early, according to Billy Napier.
AIDAN MIZELL
The Orlando product spent most of the 2022 season dealing with a knee injury that he suffered early on. Like Wilson, Mizell held offers from all the big programs, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Miami, and Michigan.
Mizell is one of the fastest receivers in the entire country and plans to run track at UF.
“Aidan Mizell is 6’1-1/2″. He’s probably up to 170-plus pounds and just verified speed,” Napier said. “We’re talking about elite speed. Both parents were track athletes here at the University of Florida. This guy plays the game the right way.”
“He was injured this year, obviously missed the majority of the year, but he’s a tough guy, plays the game that way. Very explosive player in the vertical throw game and run after catch. But this is a very unique athlete,” Napier said. “ He’s going to run track here as well. He’s one of the best 400-meter guys in the entire country, and certainly ran 10.6 100 meters this past spring as a junior. So we’re talking about elite speed.”
One of the themes of the early signing day press conference was Napier not only talking about his players, but their families as well.
“Got character. Very bright. Just an unbelievable family,” Napier said on Mizell. “He’s got a little brother and a little sister, and they’re just phenomenal people. It means something to him to be at the University of Florida, and you certainly can appreciate that. So he’s going to bring a lot to the table.”
Mizell will be on campus in January.
ANDY JEAN
Jean entertained both Miami and FSU in some capacity, but ended up staying firm with his commitment to the Florida Gators. I consider Jean to be one of the most underrated receivers in the country. Jean is the heaviest receiver in the Gators’ class and is known for his elite route running ability.
“Andy Jean, I think is another player, 6’1″, a little bit bigger, 192 pounds,” Napier said. “This guy can run the route tree. This guy has a unique acceleration. He can really eat up the coverage. He can get behind you.”
“I respect Andy, just his attitude and approach to life. He’s a blue collar guy. He’s a worker,” Napier said. “Really a lot of respect for his family. They work extremely hard, Haitian background, just really respect what they’re about, who they are as a family.”
Napier says that Jean will enroll early.
This trio of receivers has a chance to break onto the scene early in Gainesville. The certified speed and playmaking ability will shoot them up the depth charts if they can pick up the playbook.
WR coach Keary Colbert deserves a lot of credit for the work he’s put in on the football field and on the trail. He identified a problem within Florida’s receiving core and attacked it head on with the players he’s bringing in.