Dallas Wilson Is Running It Back: Gators WR Returning for 2026 Season Under New-Look Staff
Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson is coming back for more in 2026 - and he’s doing it with some serious momentum behind him.
On Wednesday, Wilson made it official through Florida’s NIL collective, Florida Victorious: he’s re-signed to return for another season in Gainesville. After a freshman year that showed flashes of brilliance despite being bookended by injuries, Wilson is betting on himself - and on a revamped Gators coaching staff - to take a big leap next fall.
And if you ask him, the energy around the program feels different already.
A New Era in Gainesville
Wilson didn’t hold back when talking about new head coach Jon Sumrall, who takes over the Gators after building a reputation as a fiery, player-first leader.
“He was very electric. He brought a lot of energy to the room-something we really hadn’t seen before,” Wilson said.
“It was a different type of juice, and I immediately liked it. I feel like he’s the kind of coach who’s going to bring the best out of every player on the field.”
That kind of spark is exactly what Florida’s been looking for as the program tries to turn the corner. And for a young playmaker like Wilson, who’s already shown he can be a difference-maker when healthy, it’s the kind of leadership that could unlock his full potential.
Offensive Overhaul: Faulkner and Davis Step In
Wilson also praised the additions of offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and new wide receivers coach Marcus Davis - two hires that signal a clear shift in how Florida wants to operate on offense.
“He brought in Coach Buster as the offensive coordinator, and I talk to him pretty much every day,” Wilson said. “He’s a great offensive mind and knows how to get his playmakers the ball and put us in position to be successful.”
That’s music to the ears of any wideout, especially one like Wilson who thrives with the ball in his hands. Faulkner, known for his creative schemes and aggressive play-calling, could be the key to unlocking a more dynamic Gators offense in 2026.
As for Davis, who replaces longtime WR coach Billy Gonzales, Wilson sees a coach who’s all about precision and development.
“He’s calm, confident, and focused on moving us forward and turning us into the best wide receiver room we can be,” Wilson added.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come
Wilson’s freshman campaign was a rollercoaster. He missed the first four games of the 2025 season due to injury, returned midseason, then was sidelined again for the final four contests. But in the limited action he saw, he made it clear why the Gators are so high on him.
In just four appearances, Wilson tallied 12 catches for 174 yards and three touchdowns. But it was his breakout performance against Texas that turned heads - and earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
In that win over the Longhorns, Wilson went off: six catches, 111 yards, and two touchdowns. One of those scores? A grown-man moment where he simply outmuscled the Texas secondary - the kind of play that lives on in highlight reels and message boards alike.
The Road Back to Gainesville
Wilson’s path to Florida wasn’t the most conventional. A four-star recruit out of Tampa Bay Tech, he was ranked as the No. 4 player in Florida, the No. 8 wide receiver, and the No. 35 overall prospect in the 2025 class, per the 247Sports Composite. He originally signed with Oregon but was granted a release and eventually landed in Gainesville.
Now, with a full offseason to get healthy, a new staff in place, and a system that’s expected to feature his skill set, Wilson is poised to be a focal point of the Gators’ offense in 2026.
And if that Texas game was any indication, Florida fans have every reason to be excited.