Florida WR Eugene Wilson III Tabbed as National Freshman of the Week

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Not all went wrong for Florida in its devastating loss to Arkansas on Saturday.

Gators rookie wide receiver Eugene Wilson III continued his impressive freshman campaign in the loss, even putting Florida in a position to take control of the game by tying it, 14-14, with back-to-back touchdown grabs in the first quarter. 

Wilson was named the Shaun Alexander Week 10 Freshman of the Week for his eight-catch, 90-yard, two-score performance against the Razorbacks, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Tuesday.

The showing followed a record-breaking act against No. 1 Georgia in Week 9, in which Wilson hauled in 11 receptions, the most by any freshman receiver in a single game in UF history. 

Wilson's 45 receptions and 416 yards each rank No. 2 among Florida pass-catchers this season, following senior Ricky Pearsall's 55 and 773, respectively. Wilson, Pearsall and redshirt freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham pace the team with four touchdown catches apiece.

Among true freshmen nationwide, Wilson ranks No. 1 in receptions per game with 6.4 and No. 3 in receiving yards per game with 59.4. He's caught at least six passes in every game he's appeared in since Week 3, five in a row.  

Wilson is the second Florida freshman to be granted this award as his teammate, safety Jordan Castell, received the honor for his 10-tackle, one-pass-breakup performance in Week 3 against Tennessee.

Wilson was placed on the sixth annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year watch list before the 2023 season kicked off.