Florida freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson has set five team records despite only putting on a Gator uniform two times.
During his first semester at UF, Wilson set the Orange and Blue Spring game reception record (10) and tied the record for receiving yards (195). It was just the Spring game, but the expectations were through the roof for the Tampa native. Gator Nation got a glimpse of what Wilson was capable of, and they were hungry for more.
Wilson missed most of fall camp with a lower body injury, which ended up sidelining him for the first four games of the 2025 season. The talented freshman returned during Florida’s bye week before making his collegiate debut vs. No.9 Texas on Saturday.
The 6’3, 213-pound receiver shined in the victory, leading Florida in receiving with six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Among true freshman making their first career start, Wilson set the program record in all three statistics. Wilson was also the first Gators’ true freshman since Tyrie Cleveland to record over 100 receiving yards (LSU, 2016).
Wilson rose to the occasion despite lofty expectations and a struggling offense.
“It meant everything,” Wilson said postgame. Like you said, the expectations, it wasn’t really a big deal for me. I had all my brothers around me in the room, shout-out to all the receivers. I had Lag pushing me on, I had all the coaches. It’s just a good belief. Everybody believed in everybody, so it was good coming out there with all the guys.”
Florida had converted just one deep pass of 20+ air yards through four games, according to Pro Football Focus. The Gators recorded two vs. Texas, including a 55-yard touchdown from Wilson late in the third quarter.
Wilson used his hand strength and quickness to get off the line of scrimmage before hauling in the pass from sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway. Wilson bounced off multiple defenders down the Longhorns’ sideline, plowing his way into the end zone for a critical six points.
“That was a crazy play actually,” Wilson said. “I won off the line, off my release with the corner. Corner had fell to the floor. Lag it threw the ball up to me, caught it, and after that I just let my talent take over. It was just boom from there.”
That wasn’t the only highlight either. Wilson had an impressive back shoulder catch in the second quarter where he toe-tapped for an 18-yard gain. On his first touchdown of the game, Wilson easily won on a slant route with smooth footwork and speed out of the break.
“He’s a big, physical player. He’s got unique play strength. Big frame. Just a total creature from a testing perspective,” head coach Billy Napier said on Wilson.
To make this performance even more impressive, Wilson and Lagway had only worked on the practice field together for two weeks prior. Lagway missed all of spring and when he finally returned, Wilson was out with an injury.
“He’s a specimen,” Lagway said on Wilson. “He’s a great player to have on the field. I told him, every time you play, expect the ball; it’s coming your way. He’s just a great player to have on the team, and it’s good to see him out there balling up and doing his thing.”
Wilson plays with a contagious level of energy and confidence, and that sparked Florida’s offense when they needed it most.
“He has a competitive spirit that’s second to none. He turns it up,” Napier said on Wilson. “I’m going to tell you, his energy, I think, was a spark this week. In practice he was just doing what he did out there today and really elevated the energy, went to a different level. He’s got a great spirit about him. He’s fun to be around. He’s got a sense of humor, and he’s a great competitor on game day, and that’s his first game in a uniform here.”
Many freshmen would be nervous to take on a daunting Texas defense in their collegiate debut. Not Dallas Wilson, who credits his late mother Lisa for instilling confidence in him.
“I’d say from my mother. My mom had passed, her name is Lisa, but I would say my mother. She was very confident. She believed she could do anything in the world, and I guess that just carried on to me,” Wilson said.
As early as spring camp, Florida’s staff was high on Wilson. They clearly trust him as highlighted by his 41 snaps vs. Texas (led UF receivers). The rare combination of size, speed, and strength make Wilson a unicorn on the football field. When you add his confidence and competitiveness, it could be the making of a star.