It's logical for one to assume a true fresh WR who performed like he did would be among the elite athletes. He was probably the best true freshman WR last year even leading all true fresh in receptions per game. Eugene Wilson III led all FBS true freshmen in receptions per game in 2023 with 6.1 Wilson ranked second in receptions with 61 Receiving yards: Wilson ranked 5th with 538 receiving yards Touchdown receptions: Wilson led the Gators in touchdown receptions with 6 Wilson III also ranked highly nationally among freshmen, leading all FBS true freshmen in receptions per game (6.1) while ranking second in receptions, tied for second in receiving TDs, fourth in receiving yards per game (53.8) and fourth in receiving yards.
It’s a bit ironic that with all the talent in the state of Florida our best receivers the past two years have been transfers from Arizona state. We just haven’t been able to keep the talent in-state. They all seem to go to Alabama.
This is going to be unpopular, but, Wilson has never overly impressed me. He was simply the shiftiest guy on last year's team. We are now seeing that he can't really compete with more complete receivers. He didn't exactly light the conference on fire last year or anything of any real note. The only catch of his I even remember is the ricochet against SC. I expect him to continue to be passed up by better recruits/transfers and become a role player at most. I won't be upset if he becomes great.
If you go back to my original post I answered this. He was one of the best options we had out of lack of quality options. To have the number of receptions he had with the paltry average of 8.8 yds per catch, in no way shows he was elite last year. If you want to compare him to an actual elite true freshman, compare him to Ryan Williams from BAmA. His current numbers are 31-649-7tds in 7 games. Those numbers are elite. He is literally the 3rd best WR on this current team and I am not ready to call the guys in front of him elite yet, but they are better players at this point.
He can only catch the balls thrown to him, and most of Mertz passes to Wilson were within 10 yards of the LOS. Wilson will be a very good slot receiver in the NFL.
Ryan Williams has half of the receptions wilson has and 1 more TD. And williams like you said of wilson is basically their "best" of their few options this season. A quick look at the stat sheet will show you that. They are two different types of receivers. Wilson can be uber effective and influence a game much like for example Jaylen Waddle did his 1st year in the league when he broke Anquan Boldens rookie rec record in '21 when he had 1015 yards on 106 receptions with an 9.8 yds avg. One yard more than wilsons. He shined on the field as a true fresh that had a 1st round draft pick WR on the other side of him and still performed among the top 2-3 incoming WR in the nation.
First, let’s be careful with saying who’s “ elite”. Our offense, prior to KY, just wasn’t built to showcase a WR, consistently. Ricky was an outlier. Wilson is a sophomore with potential. He’s done what a BN designed offense asked him to do, and was effective at it last year. Before we throw him on the trash heap, because we have two shiny new toys, just remember, he has done what the offense has asked. Last week was the first game of the BN era that we consistently threatened to throw the ball downfield with DJ. With Mertz, it was closer to the LOS or bubble screens & sweeps. BTW, we also have a couple of other young receivers who have been brought into the offense. it’s a good problem to have with older receivers stepping up. Let’s not start a negative focus & narrative on Trey. He doesn’t design the route tree or where he fits into it. We had strange, unexplainable, personnel grouping from the WR & TE all season, until KY. That’s not on the player(s). I’m interested to see what the offense looks like against GA after the bye week. There are plays TW can make, it’s up to the offensive staff to figure out the how.
I have no expectations of him. He is a good player, but he is not an elite player. He is receiver who averages 8.8 yards a catch.
As we all seem to agree that Badger is legit, his numbers at ASU were underwhelming. The offense & QB have a lot to do with WR stats. While on the field, defenses have to account for TW…. That doesn’t show up in his stats
As a true freshman, and was among the two best while doing it. You keep harping on the 8.8 avg but wilson was also 5th in total yards, 4th in yards per game, and 2nd in TD's among all true fresh WR. The avg yards per reception is cool and all but total receiving yards, yards per game and TDs all really mean more than the avg per catch. That just shows you there multiple ways they can equally affect a game. A higher avg yards per catch is great, but you have to have the yards and TDs to make that avg even matter. Surely you don't believe that 8.8 won't go up with a different QB. Lagway will definitely raise that avg. I mean Hell currently Badger leads the nation on avg yards per reception
