After waiting several weeks to make his collegiate debut, Florida football wide receiver Dallas Wilson made sure it was worth the wait.
Following a record-setting performance in the Florida Gators’ 29-21 upset win over then-No. 9 Texas, 247Sports named Wilson its True Freshman of the Week. The five-star signee out of Tampa Bay Tech — who was once committed to the Oregon Ducks — caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, setting multiple freshman records in his first career game.
“He’s (Wilson) a big, physical player,” head coach Billy Napier said after the game. “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. He turns it up.”
Wilson’s impact came early and often. His first-half touchdown gave Florida a two-score lead. But it was his 55-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter, where he ran through defenders and powered into the end zone, that fully introduced him to college football.
Quarterback DJ Lagway, who threw both touchdowns to the freshman, said the connection clicked immediately.
“He’s a specimen, man,” Lagway said after the win. “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. He’s just a great player to have on the team, and it’s good to see him out there balling up and doing his thing.”
Wilson, who flipped his commitment from the Oregon Ducks to Florida in January, said the moment was more about the team than personal redemption after missing time with a preseason foot injury.
“It meant everything,” Wilson said. “I had all my brothers around me in the room, shout-out to all the receivers. I had Lag (Lagway) pushing me on, I had all the coaches. It’s just a good belief. Everybody believed in everybody, so it was good coming out there with all the guys.”
He also credited his late mother, Lisa, as the source of his confidence.
“She was very confident,” Wilson said. “She believed she could do anything in the world, and I guess that just carried on to me.”
Napier said Wilson’s rise was no accident, calling him “fun to be around” and “a great competitor on game day.” The coach noted that Wilson’s presence brought new life to practice ahead of the Texas matchup—energy that translated directly onto the field.
With Wilson now healthy and part of a receiving room that includes Vernell Brown III, Eugene Wilson III and J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida suddenly has a young, dynamic group that could change the complexion of its offense moving forward.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football’s Dallas Wilson named 247Sports True Freshman of the Week in Gators debut
Reporting by Aidan Gallardo, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
