Eugene Wilson Enters Transfer Portal, Leaves Gator Fans Wondering What Could’ve Been
Sometimes, a college football career is a story of missed opportunities, and for Eugene Wilson III, that story is still being written. The talented wide receiver is officially in the transfer portal, and it’s hard not to look back at his time in Gainesville and ask the question: what if?
Wilson came to Florida as a top-100 recruit in the 2023 class-a dynamic playmaker with the kind of speed and shiftiness that turns short passes into highlight reels. He was part of a promising receiver trio alongside Aidan Mizell and Andy Jean, but it was Wilson who made an immediate impact.
As a true freshman, he hauled in 61 catches for 583 yards and six touchdowns. The production was there.
The flashes were undeniable. But the way he was used-and the way his career unfolded-left plenty on the table.
A Star in the Making, Stuck Near the Line of Scrimmage
Heading into the 2024 season, the big question was whether Florida’s coaching staff would expand Wilson’s role beyond the gadget plays and short-yardage touches. The answer, unfortunately, was a resounding no.
Even before injuries derailed his sophomore campaign, Wilson’s usage was puzzling. Despite his elite athleticism and route-running potential, he was rarely deployed downfield. His average depth of target (ADOT) was among the lowest in the country-a stat that paints a clear picture: Florida trusted him to catch screens and quick outs, but not much else.
Then came the hip injury. Wilson’s 2024 season was cut short after just four games, ending with season-ending surgery. It was a frustrating blow, especially for a player who had already shown he could be more than a behind-the-line-of-scrimmage option.
A Glimpse of What Could Have Been
The 2025 season offered more of the same-limited opportunities, lingering questions, and then, a spark of hope. In what turned out to be a breakout performance against Georgia, Wilson finally got to stretch the field. He had two catches of 20+ yards in that game alone-doubling his career total to that point-and finished the day with nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.
For a moment, it looked like the lid had finally come off. Wilson was being used like the weapon he was recruited to be.
But just as quickly as the hope returned, it vanished. He came out of the Georgia game needing ankle surgery, and once again, his season was over.
Where Things Stand Now
With Billy Napier fired after the Mississippi State win and a new staff in place, Wilson’s future in Gainesville was always going to be uncertain. There’s no official word on how hard Florida’s new regime worked to keep him, but signs point to Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson being the primary focus at wide receiver moving forward.
As for Eugene Wilson, he’ll leave Florida with two years of eligibility remaining and plenty of untapped potential. The tools are still there.
The flashes were real. Now, it’s just a matter of finding a program that’s ready to let him run-not just laterally, but vertically, too.
For Gator fans, this one stings. Not just because a talented player is leaving, but because they never really got to see what he could become in orange and blue.