Sitting with a 1-3 record heading into October, the Gators’ offense needed a spark.
Florida had managed only 11 points per game in its three consecutive defeats. Following a 55-0 win against Long Island in its opener, it seemed UF's formerly potent attack had run out of gas.
The Gators’ next test wasn't against just any team. The then-No. 9 Texas Longhorns traveled to Gainesville for the first time since 1940, bringing along the No. 2 defense in the country.
Enter Dallas Wilson.
In his collegiate debut, the freshman wide receiver grabbed six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, setting UF debut records in all three categories. Wilson's electric performance helped guide the Gators to a crucial 29-21 win over the Longhorns.
Wilson, who missed UF’s first four games while nursing a foot injury, said he kept himself motivated despite setbacks, knowing it would all be worth it when he hit the field donning his No. 6 jersey.
“It meant everything,” Wilson said. “I had all my brothers around me in the room, shoutout to all the receivers. I had [Lagway] pushing me on, I had all the coaches. … Everybody believed in everybody, so it was good coming out there with all the guys.”
The Tampa native became the 18th true freshman receiver to start a game for Florida and the second to do so this season, after Vernell Brown III. He first found the end zone halfway through the second quarter. On 2nd and 10, Wilson separated himself from defenders on a crafty in-breaking route, and sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway hit the freshman for a 13-yard score.
Then, Wilson made magic happen. With under a minute to go in the third quarter, Wilson was pressed at the line by Texas defensive back Kobe Black on a 2nd and 1. Wilson quickly overpowered Black, who fell to the ground, and Lagway lofted the ball toward the 6-foot-3 receiver. Wilson caught the ball, shrugged off multiple defenders and tightroped the sideline.
Running toward the end zone while being draped by defensive backs Jelani McDonald and Michael Taaffe, he reached across the goal line, putting UF up 29-14. Despite the monumental touchdown grab, Wilson acted like the feat was normal, placing more of his focus on the end result.
“I know a lot of guys were asking me on the sideline, ‘How does it feel?’” Wilson said. “I'm like, ‘It feels regular.’ I really don't know how I'm supposed to feel. Let's win the game first, guys. But yeah, it felt good.”
This wasn’t the first time Wilson broke UF program records. In the Orange & Blue Game April 12, he recorded spring game records with 10 receptions and 195 yards. He also grabbed two touchdowns.
However, that was with Harrison Bailey as quarterback, not Lagway. In fact, Lagway said he and Wilson only had about two weeks of practice with one another before Saturday’s matchup, as both struggled with separate injuries.
However, the lack of practice together didn’t stop the duo from showcasing instant chemistry on the field.
“He's a specimen, man,” Lagway said. “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.’”
Lagway wasn’t the only one with high praise for Wilson postgame.
Florida defensive back Devin Moore, who has been matched up one-on-one against Wilson in practice, said the freshman’s elite performance “wasn’t a surprise.”
“Since day one, [when] he stepped on campus, he was the guy,” Moore said.
UF head coach Billy Napier said Wilson’s ability and competitive spirit were crucial in the Florida victory.
“He's a big, physical player,” Napier said. “He's got unique play strength. Big frame. Just a total creature from a testing perspective, and then he has a competitive spirit that's second to none.”
Wilson isn’t the only freshman receiver to make an impact this season. Brown III has emerged as one of Lagway’s primary targets, leading the Gators in receptions (21) and receiving yards (291) in 2025.
Brown also made a splash in his debut. Against Long Island, the freshman receiver made three catches for 79 yards, including a highlight-reel worthy one-handed 41-yard grab.
“You have Vernell Brown making some plays, Dallas Wilson, et cetera,” Lagway said. “It’s just great to have great players around you to be able to just dish the ball out and watch them go.”
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is the Summer 2025 sports editor. He is a third-year journalism sports & media major and in his fifth semester at The Alligator. He is a big South Florida sports fan and would die for Matthew Tkachuk.
