Gators Football Young Receiver Show Promise

The Florida Gators football team is hungry for a title. After witnessing the success of the basketball team, players and fans alike are searching for another opportunity to celebrate.

These celebrations began early with the Orange and Blue game. After hours of tailgating, fans flooded Ben Hill Griffin for the opportunity to see the future of Florida football. The team showed immense promise on offense with young receivers like freshmen Dallas Wilson, Naeshaun Montgomery and Vernell Brown III putting up big numbers.

Wilson highlighted the Orange team’s offense in the game. He tied an Orange and Blue game record for the most receiving yards after going for 195 yards on 10 receptions. He also recorded two touchdowns for Orange, showing his scoring abilities.

The Tampa native was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and an Under Armour All-American. Although fans were unable to see him connect with sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, his physicality and athleticism were fully apparent. Lagway is the expected starter for the 2025 Gators, but he was limited Saturday due to a shoulder injury. He did not throw the ball for Orange, but he did appear on the field for handoffs.

makin' moves @18Dallaswilson pic.twitter.com/8jhyVsHQYS

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 13, 2025

Montgomery was the freshman receiver showing off his four-star status for the Blue team. Despite only receiving the ball three times, Montgomery recorded 70 yards. The Blue found success on the ground with the running back duo between sophomore Jadan Baugh and redshirt senior Ja’Kobi Jackson. However, Montgomery was able to gets his hands on the ball enough times to bring excitement to the team.

Rounding out the freshman receiving trio is Vernell Brown III. The five-star recruit ranked as the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2025 class. After receiving offers from programs such as Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama, Brown decided to return to his hometown of Gainesville.

Brown led the receiving team for Blue alongside his fellow freshman Montgomery. He had four catches for a total of 34 yards.

Together, Wilson, Montgomery and Brown represent not only the future of Gators football but also the success of Billy Napier’s recruiting team. In 2024, the program’s potential was called into question after finishing the season with an 8-5 record.

However, it appears that Napier has a vision, and he has been able to sell it. With four- and five-star recruits like these receivers, along with four-star linebacker Ty Jackson and defensive end Jalen Wiggins, the team seems stacked for success.