Florida WR included on Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year watch list

The college career of Florida wide receiver Eugene “Tre” Wilson III is set to begin on Thursday night, and the freshman pass catcher figures to work his way into a significant role with the Gators in 2023.

A former four-star recruit, according to 247Sports, Wilson is getting national recognition ahead of his first season from the Maxwell Football Club. He was named to the watch list for the sixth annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, becoming the first Gator to ever do so.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell, Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye are the past winners. If Wilson won, he’d be the first receiver to claim the award.

Alexander’s watch list is 37 players deep to start the season. Notable names other than Wilson, include Colorado cornerback Cormani McClain — who was committed to Florida before flipping — and Nebraska edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, who is the brother of Florida starting JACK Princely Umanmielen.

Of course, Alabama and Georgia have multiple players featured on the list. That tends to happen when bringing in the nation’s top-ranked recruiting classes.

Wilson will need to perform extremely well to finish on top of this talented watch list, and it all starts with his debut against Utah on Thursday night.

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Story originally appeared on Gators Wire