The Florida Gators have big plans for sophomore receiver Eugene Wilson this upcoming season. The coaching staff intends to utilize Wilson in various ways, including the passing, rushing, and return game. Co-offensive coordinator Russ Callaway pondered, “What’s the right number of touches for Wilson per game? That’s a great question. It’s kind of the flow of the game.” He elaborated, “If we’re rolling and Tre’s touched it five times in the first half, OK, we’re doing really good spreading the ball around. Or if it’s not going great, then maybe we’ve got to maneuver a couple of things here or there.”
Florida head coach Billy Napier also emphasized Wilson’s essential role in the team: “We’re always going to be intentional about who we get the ball to, Tre Wilson being at the top of that list for sure.” This strategy is evident as the coaching staff has been tracking how often Wilson touches the ball in real-time since the spring.
Wilson’s confidence is clear, as he stated, “I feel the most dangerous every play.” He has been putting in the work, spending 10 to 12 hours a day at the facility, preparing for the upcoming season. The coaching staff has been monitoring his pitch count since the spring and will continue to do so during training camp.
During his productive rookie campaign, Wilson played in 10 games with seven starts, hauling in 61 passes for 538 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. He led all FBS true freshmen in receptions per game (6.1) while ranking second in receptions (61), tied for second in receiving TDs (six), and fourth in receiving yards per game (53.8). He recorded 41 catches for 370 yards in the last six games of the season, finishing with 538 receiving yards. (Stats provided by Zach Abolverdi, On3). Those stats are even more impressive considering Wilson didn’t arrive on campus until the summer and missed most of 2023 fall camp with an injury.
Wilson has made significant strides this offseason, adding 13 pounds of muscle to his 5’10” frame thanks to Tyler Miles’ new strength and conditioning program. Reflecting on his Freshman All-American season, Wilson remarked, “I was just out there running around, just following instructions.” Despite this, his production was impressive, and the added muscle will be crucial for his durability in the SEC. Gaining more experience in the offense and being on the field more should help Wilson take his game to the next level. Notably, 44% of his 61 catches were in the first quarter, mostly during the scripted portions of the offensive game plans.
Wilson’s natural talent is undeniable. With a full offseason under his belt, he is poised to take his game to the next level. Despite not being listed on any preseason watch lists or All-SEC teams, Wilson remains undeterred. “It’s kind of a bummer not to see my name up there,” he admitted, “But at the end of the day, I had a few people sending me videos or pictures of that. I just go ahead and liked the message because it’s not too much to say my name not being up there. But put in my back pocket and keep it on hold for the rest of the season.”
As the season approaches, the Florida coaching staff remains committed to featuring and feeding Wilson. “Absolutely,” Callaway said, “Him along with a few others.”
Support Gators Breakdown and get your Florida Gators merch at Fanatics
0 Comments