The Gators offense needs a boost. This Saturday, it may get one — in the form of five-star recruit Dallas Wilson.
The freshman receiver dazzled fans his first time wearing a Gators jersey during UF’s spring scrimmage — logging 195 receiving yards on 10 receptions — but has missed the season’s first four games due to an injury. Now, he’s expected to make his collegiate debut Saturday against the No. 9 Texas Longhorns.
After requesting a release from his financial aid agreement with the Oregon Ducks and flipping his commitment to Florida, Wilson got a chance to showcase his speed and hands in Florida football’s Orange & Blue Game April 12. He set the program record for the most receptions and tied for the most receiving yards in the spring game.
Wilson’s breakout performance included 127 yards and two touchdowns in the second half alone, which even garnered praise from Florida head coach Billy Napier.
“He’s a big physical player … I’ve been impressed with his football intelligence,” Napier said. “He’s been able to retain information, and obviously, you don’t produce like that today unless you’ve been really working hard.”
However, Wilson hasn’t seen in-game action since. The freshman missed Florida’s first four games of the season after suffering a left foot injury the first week of August, late in fall camp.
He’s spent time in both a hard cast and a boot since his injury, and the Gators have stumbled to a 1-3 record in his absence. Florida has lost to South Florida, Louisiana State and Miami in its last three games, with its only win coming against LIU in the season opener. Moreover, UF ranks last in the SEC in scoring offense, passing yards per completion (8.64) and interceptions thrown (6). It is also tied at 14 for tackles for loss per game (4.3).
On the bright side, Wilson is no longer on the injury report after Florida’s bye week. He’s likely to make his highly anticipated debut as the Gators set their sights on Texas Saturday afternoon.
“Dallas Wilson would be the headliner,” Napier said. “For him to be able to practice last week was a big deal.”
The Longhorns will enter Gainesville Oct. 4 having won their last three games by outscoring opponents 120-17. While Florida has struggled to gain offensive momentum, averaging only 22 points per game, Texas has averaged 31.75 per game and allowed less than eight.
With a top defense in the nation, allowing under 152 passing yards to opponents on average, Texas has the tools necessary to hinder Wilson’s pass-catching production in his debut.
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Cormani McClain has taken reps against Wilson since his return to the gridiron and praised the freshman’s work ethic. Wilson has what it takes to push UF’s defensive backs in practice, he said.
“Out there in practice today, me and Dallas Wilson are going back and forth,” McClain said on Oct. 1. “Talking and communicating is going to make me and him better.”
However, the Gators have lacked a vertical passing game this season and rank 113 in the FBS in total offense and 98 in passing efficiency, aspects of the offense Wilson is expected to revitalize. In the same categories, Texas ranks 41 and 49, respectively.
Additionally, UF has fallen well behind Texas’ strong rushing regime. The Gators have rushed for under 500 yards this season with only two rushing touchdowns, while Texas has over 800 rush yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Gators quarterback DJ Lagway has struggled under center, with the sophomore posting a 5-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. With Florida facing yet another formidable top-10 opponent Oct. 4, Florida is looking for Wilson to add a much-needed spark to its flat offensive scheme.
Nonetheless, Florida’s sophomore quarterback showed confidence in his ability. He explained his excitement for Wilson’s return and said he’ll continue to build chemistry with the highly-touted freshman.
“Great to have him back,” Lagway said. “Having him out there is going to be just amazing for us.”
Wilson’s debut will complement UF’s top pass catchers in Vernell Brown III, Eugene Wilson III and J. Michael Sturdivant, and it will come alongside redshirt sophomore Aidan Mizell’s return. Mizell missed UF’s clash with Miami due to an undisclosed injury, but he caught Florida’s lone touchdown against LSU Sept. 13.
Along with Wilson’s anticipated return, Lagway said Mizell is a key asset to Florida’s offense and that with a fully healthy corps, the receivers will benefit from the opportunity to build chemistry and grow comfortable together.
“I got a great chemistry with Aidan,” Lagway said. “He’s a heck of a ball player … Anytime we can have him on the field, we’re a better team.”
With Wilson and Mizell both back in the rotation, Florida has a chance to showcase its depth at receiver for the first time this season. The Gators have relied on patchwork combinations through the first half of the year, but the group will enter Oct. 4 at full strength.
After weeks of navigating injuries and working with a rotating receiving group, Napier expressed confidence in his receiving corps, saying Oct. 4 will be the first time this season the Gators’ receiving room is fully healthy.
“We've had the two or three of the main guys, but we've been missing a piece or two each week,” Napier said. “We got the full gauntlet out there ready to go for Saturday.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
