The Florida Gators signed one of the better wide receiver classes in the country last cycle, which includes two top ten receivers in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. Out of four wide receiver signees, three enrolled early and have hit the ground running in their first spring camp.
Dallas Wilson, Vernell Brown III, and Naeshaun Montgomery look the part through six spring practices. Each bring something different to the football field, but all three seem confident and comfortable as they navigate through their first few collegiate practices.
“Those three guys that came in, they’re all cut the same, they’re all great workers,” wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales told Gator Country.
Leadership is a trait Gonzales looks for when identifying talent. Florida’s trio of freshmen receivers have not only been vocal with their teammates but have led by example both on and off the football field.
“They’re a unique group. They really, all three, are vocal,” Gonzales said on the freshmen receivers. “People always ask, ‘What do you guys want for your leaders? Who are your leaders?’ Leaders are guys who do it the right way, day in and day out. They do it the right way in the classroom. They do it the right way in the training room. They do it the right way, you know, are they responsible? Are they respectful of people? Do they work hard? They all three do that.”
“They’re swimming right now,” Gonzales added. “They’re still getting in that process, but I’ve got no issue. I’ve told all three of those guys, a leader doesn’t have to be a senior. A leader can be a freshman. I’ve got no issue with that, because again, as long as you’re doing the right things, people will follow. They know who’s working hard. Players know who is working hard.”
Wilson, Brown III, and Montgomery had a strong relationship prior to stepping on campus. All three were invited to the Under Armour All-America camp in Orlando, Florida, where they competed against the best competition in the country. While only Brown and Montgomery participated in the event, you could tell the trio had great chemistry. That bond is creating a competitive atmosphere during spring camp.
“They’re a really tight group of players. Those three guys, they’re very, very, very tight with one another,” Gonzales said. “They push each other, and they compete with one another, and they work their butt off. Super excited about those things with that group right there. They’re doing a really, really good job.”
Wilson’s unique blend of size and speed has created a lot of buzz around the Tampa native. Standing at 6’3, 209 pounds, Wilson is a candidate for early playing time in Gainesville. But it’s not just his athletic traits setting him apart, it’s also his work in the meeting rooms.
“Dallas works his butt off. He’s attentive,” Gonzales said on Wilson. “Coach Napier stresses this and he makes it a point for the players to make sure you’re taking great notes. I always watch it, and I watch all those young guys. The great thing about my meeting room right now, I don’t have all the seniors or the juniors up in the front row of my group…I’ve got my young guys up front, and I got my newcomers up front right now so I can specifically watch them as they take notes during meetings. And he does a really good job of taking notes. He’s an attention-to-detail guy. So that’s probably one of the things that stands out. You know, in order to play fast, you’ve got to know what you’re doing. So, you know, we are very complex in what we do, but yet we try to simplify it for the wide outs so they can play a little faster. But you’ve got to take notes, and he does a really good job of taking notes so he can maximize that effort.”
Brown III stepped foot on campus as a Gator legacy with elite burst and run after the catch ability. Gonzales and Brown III have known each other since the pass catcher was in 8th grade.
“I’ve had a chance to see him running around and making plays and just getting a chance to follow as he’s progressed from one school to another. Obviously, he went on his 7 on 7 this summer, he did an unbelievable job, came up here to multiple camps, just did a fantastic job for us,” Gonzales said on Brown III. “His work ethic is something that’s really unique with him. All three of those young guys, their work ethic is incredible. VB has done a great job.”
Florida’s wide receiver room is filled with talent. The Gators return star receiver Eugene Wilson, who looks bigger, stronger, and faster this spring than ever before. They also added a veteran in J.Michael Sturdivant from UCLA, who brings size, speed, and the ability to win deep down the field. While Florida has plenty of options at wide receiver, it’s going to be difficult to keep the freshmen trio off the field with their combination of talent and work ethic.
Freshman wide receiver Muizz Tounkara is expected to enroll this summer.