UF position preview: Wide receiver

The third in a position-by-position look at the 2024 Gators leading up to fall camp:

WIDE RECEIVER

What to expect

Eugene Wilson III is poised to become a star. The 5-foot-10, 181-pound sophomore is explosive, instinctive and proved to be surprisingly durable, though he did miss two games in 2023 while making 61 catches.

Wilson seized center stage during the spring game, finishing with 8 receptions for 128 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. But he also was a one-man show and will need help after Ricky Pearsall’s departure to the NFL . He had compiled 98 catches, 1,626 yards and 12 total touchdowns in two seasons after transferring from Arizona State .

Elijhah Badger, another Sun Devils transfer , hopes to fill the void. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Badger totaled 135 catches for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns the past two seasons. Wisconsin transfer Chimere Dike, who spent three seasons with Gators quarterback Graham Mertz in Madison, is in line for the third starting spot. Sure-handed former walk-on Khaleil Jackson is a proven veteran.

Options abound beyond the quartet.

Redshirt junior Marcus Burke looks to finally showcase his size (6-3 3/4, 193) and skill set; sophomore Aidan Mizell, a former Orlando Boone standout, can stretch the field and had a 22-yard score in the spring game; and true freshmen Tank Hawkins and TJ Abrams also have speed to burn.

Hawkins has run a sub-4.3 second 40 while Abrams covers 100 meters in 10.5 seconds.

Promising redshirt freshmen Andy Jean will try to stay healthy after injuries limited him to four games in 2023 and sidelined him for much of the spring. Sizable senior Ja’Quavion Fraziars (6-3 1/2, 218) could factor during his final season.

On the roster

Marcus Burke, R.-Jr.

Jaden Edgecombe, R-Fr.

Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Sr.

Alex Gonzales, R-Fr.

Brian Green. Jr, R-Fr.

Wade Jackson, R.-Fr.

Khaleil Jackson, R.-Jr.

Andy Jean, R-Fr.

Aidan Mizell, R-Fr.

Zak Sedaros, R.-So.

Taylor Spierto, R.-Jr.

Eugene Wilson III, So.

Departures

Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman (transfer to Rice)

Caleb Douglas (transfer to Texas Tech)

Ricky Pearsall (eligibility, NFL)

Arrivals

TJ Abrams, Fr. (signee)

Elijhah Badger, Sr. (transfer from Arizona State)

Chimere Dike, Sr. (transfer from Wisconsin)

Tank Hawkins, Fr. (signee)

Projected depth chart

WR1 — Elijhah Badger, Marcus Burke, Aidan Mizell

WR2 — Eugene Wilson III, Tank Hawkins, Ja’Quavion Fraziars

WR3 — Chimere Dike, Khaleil Jackson, Andy Jean

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Coming Sunday: Tight end

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com