With the season around the corner and fall camp underway, Gator Country gives you an in-depth breakdown of the position groups and a projected depth chart.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The WR group is one of two position groups that is a major area of concern for me entering the season. The departure of Jacob Copeland and several 2022 commits left the Gators with many question marks at the position. The Gators currently have 11 scholarship receivers on roster.
Ricky Pearsall
The Arizona State transfer has received high praise from just about everyone since stepping foot in Gainesville. His new quarterback, Anthony Richardson, says he appreciates Pearsall’s speed, claiming it makes his job easier. Pearsall was the Sun Devils best receiver last season, grabbing 48 passes for a team high 580 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran the ball six times for 51 yards and a touchdown. There’s no doubt that Pearsall provides the speed and agility that the receiver room was missing. I believe that the Gators coaching staff can utilize Pearsall in many different ways, leading him to a strong 2022 campaign.
Justin Shorter
Gators return starting WR Justin Shorter. Shorter has a big frame, standing at 6-4, 223 pounds. Shorter started 12 games last season for the Gators, posting a stat line of 41 catches for 550 yards and three TD’s. Shorter received high praise from WR coach Keary Colbert earlier this offseason, claiming that Shorter has a great work ethic. Shorter struggled making big plays after the catch last season, averaging just 3.05 YAC, the worst amongst starters last season, according to SEC Stat Cast. If the Gators are going to be effective in the pass game this season, they will need a breakout season from Shorter.
Xzaiver Henderson
The highly touted Miami product has not lived up to his potential thus far for the Gators. Henderson had 26 catches for 277 yards and two touchdowns last season in just three starts. Henderson will have a chance to prove people wrong as he will likely be a starting receiver this season for the Gators. Henderson will need to improve his route running, proving he is more than a north-south receiver if he wants to keep his starting job.
Trent Whittemore
Whittemore and Pearsall should provide a solid 1-2 punch out of the slot position this year. Whittemore started in eight of his ten appearances last season. He snagged 19 catches for 210 yards and one TD. Whittemore is as sure handed as they come with a drop rate of just 2.78%, the lowest amongst starters according to SEC Stat Cast. Whittemore’s issue has been staying healthy. If he can stay healthy, he should see an uptick in his numbers this season. Whittemore was also the trick play specialist for the Gators last season. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 41 yards and 2 touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how the staff uses him in that aspect as well.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
X Receiver
Starter – Justin Shorter
Backup – Ja’Quavion Fraziars
Y Receiver
Starter – Xzaiver Henderson
Backup – Dajeon Reynolds
Slot Receiver
Starter- Ricky Pearsall
Backup – Trent Whittemore
There are a few players left off the two-deep that could make an impact this season for the Gators. Markus Burke, Ja’Markis Weston, and Thai Chiaokhiao- Bowman are important pieces to this room as well and will likely determine how effective the Gators’ receiving group is this season. These are the players that the staff is relying on to be prepared when their number is called and to make a push for playing time. There’s plenty of unanswered questions within the depth chart, providing an opportunity for everyone to make a name for themselves.
One player I want to point out is Ja’Quavion Fraziars. I believe he could make a push for a lot of playing time by the end of the season. He certainly looked the part in the spring game where he had 5 catches for 53 yards while working with the 2nd-team offense.
We all know that Anthony Richardson has the ability to make big plays. However, the Gators WR’s will need to create separation consistently to allow Richardson to thrive.