Gator freshman receiver Eugene Wison III was recently named to the 2023 Pro Football Focus All Freshman Team, adding to his impressive stack of postseason honors.
The Tampa native joins NC State’s Kevin Concepcion and Georgia Tech’s Eric Singleton Jr. as the only other freshmen receivers recognizes. Wilson III was one of four SEC offensive freshmen named and seven SEC player’s total.
Wilson III was also recently named to the 247Sports True Freshman All-American Team, the Freshman All-SEC team, On3 True Freshman All-American team and was a College Football Network Freshman All-American Honorable Mention.
Wilson III was the highest graded receiver for the Florida Gators during the 2023 season earning a grade of 81.6 according to Pro Football Focus. Wilson III’s offensive grade ranked 24th in the FBS amongst qualifying receivers while his route running grade of 81.5 ranked 29th.
The 5-10, 170 round receiver was also effective as a runner in 2023, totaling six carries for 55 yards while working to a running grade of 80.8, which ranked 6th in the FBS amongst receivers.
“He’s just a playmaker,'” Gators’ receiver Ricky Pearsall said on Wilson III. “It kind of looks easy for him when he’s out there. He snags the ball very naturally. Obviously has really good routes. He’s really quick in and out of his routes, any type of routes, so I think that’s really important as a receiver. But he’s taken tremendous strides. I’m really excited for him.”
Wilson III ranked 1st among true freshmen in receptions per game (6.1) and second in receptions (61) while ranking inside the top 57 in the FBS in both categories. Wilson III led the Gators in TD receptions (6) while finishing second in receptions and yards (538) behind Ricky Pearsall.
Wilson III notched his most productive performance of the season in the Gators Week 10 contest against Arkansas. The receiver totaled eight receptions for ninety yards and two touchdowns.
“I’ve known Trey, he’s been like that since the day he got here,” quarterback Graham Mertz said on Wilson’s emergence. “His emergence to everybody else, but I’ve known what kind of player he is and what he’s going to be for this place. It’s awesome.”
Wilson III logged 41.4% of his 443 snaps in the slot and 56.9% of his snaps out wide while lining up in the backfield a handful of times. Wilson’s athleticism and versatility make him one of the more exciting receivers in college football entering the 2024 season.