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USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football receiver named to ESPN's 'Three freshmen to watch' list for 2025 season
One of the nation's most highly touted incoming wide receivers is already earning national attention before his first snap for the Florida Gators. Wide receiver Dallas Wilson has been named to ESPN's "Three freshmen to watch" list ahead of the 2025 college football season. The list highlights three newcomers expected to make an immediate impact, with Wilson joining Tennessee Volunteers offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. and LSU Tigers cornerback DJ Pickett. For the Gators, the recognition adds even more excitement for an offense looking to add explosive playmakers. The Tampa Bay Tech product flipped his commitment from the Oregon Ducks to the Gators late in the recruiting process, giving Billy Napier one of his biggest recruiting wins of the cycle. In his high school career, Wilson recorded 130 receptions for 2,424 yards and 30 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 18.6 yards per catch. He was selected as an Under Armour All-American and a Polynesian Bowl participant. Given his incredible resume, it's only fitting for Wilson to be included in ESPN's list of "freshmen to watch" for the 2025 college football season. Here is everything they wrote about the talented Florida receiver. What ESPN said about Wilson "Wilson showed up instantly by catching 10 passes for almost 200 yards and two touchdowns in Florida's spring game. No matter who starts at quarterback on Week 1 for the Gators, there's a good chance they'll develop a quick connection with Wilson. "The 6-foot-4 Florida native has a massive catch radius, 10-inch hands and surprising breakaway speed given his frame. He runs a legitimate 4.5 40-yard dash and has the shiftiness to pick up yards after the catch, making him a nightmare matchup who should see the field early in The Swamp." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joel Klatt Names Second-Year Quarterback Who Looks Like a 'Potential Star'
Joel Klatt Names Second-Year Quarterback Who Looks Like a 'Potential Star' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators come into 2025 on a high note after a solid 8-5 finish to the 2024 season. Advertisement One of the more promising aspects of the team is quarterback DJ Lagway, who returns and will be the team's full-time starter. Lagway played in 12 games with seven starts as a true freshman. On a recent episode of "The Joel Klatt Show," Joel Klatt said Lagway looked like a "potential star." The Florida quarterback showcased his talents by throwing for 1,915 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions in the games he played. Lagway was a former five-star recruit and the top quarterback in the 2024 class via the On3 Industry Rankings. Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway looks downfield. © Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images "DJ Lagway, he looks like a potential star," Klatt said. "Has some weapons on the outside. Five-star true freshman Dallas Wilson. I think he could be a real factor early in the year. ...I think Billy Napier has done an excellent job. You look at how hot his seat was at the beginning of the season, and then what they were able to do, and now with momentum moving forward." Advertisement Florida added some weapons for its quarterback through the transfer portal and recruiting. The Gators brought in former UCLA Bruins receiver Sturdivant via the portal and wideout prospects Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson from the 2025 class. Klatt is high on Florida and believes the Gators have a chance to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, now that the format allows for 12 teams. He ranked the program at No. 9 on his list of the top 10 teams with a chance to make their first. The team received another ranking recently regarding its annual rivalry with the Florida State Seminoles. The "Florida Cup" rivalry came in at No. 9 on the top rivalries in college football. Florida kicks off its quest for the CFP on August 30 versus Long Island. Related: Florida Predicted to Land Elite 2026 EDGE This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football Expert Says Florida is Most Important Program in 2025
College Football Expert Says Florida is Most Important Program in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Gators have a tough road ahead of them in the 2025 season. With one of if not the toughest schedules in college football, UF will have a big impact on the outlook of the College Football Playoff come December. Advertisement Florida will face four teams who finished in the top 11 of the AP Poll at the end of last season and five of the top 25 this fall. Because of this gauntlet of a schedule, On3's J.D. PicKell tabbed the Gators as "the most important team in college football in 2025." PicKell said that because Florida plays several teams with CFP aspirations early in the season, UF could become a "course-setter" for the college football landscape." Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6).Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images After matchups against Long Island University and USF to begin the year, the Gators will play two straight road games against LSU and Miami before coming back to Gainesville to host the Texas Longhorns. Advertisement This three-week stretch will say a lot about both Florida's chances of making the 12-team playoff and its opponents' chances as well. "If Florida ends up being a version of what they were in November from last year," PicKell said. "Florida could be not just a party crasher... might mess around, knock on the back door trying to get in the College Football Playoff [themselves]." The Gators finished the 2024 season winners of four straight with victories over LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State and a Gasparilla Bowl win against Tulane. There is no doubt it will be tough sledding for Florida in 2025, but, as PicKell said, there is a chance the Gators could play spoiler or make a run themselves. Related: 2027 Four-Star Recruit Puts Florida in Top 12 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
