Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall led the Gators in receiving a season ago, and returns with even more responsibility due to the departure of Justin Shorter. Pearsall caught 33 passes for 661 yards and five touchdowns in his first season in Gainesville after coming over as a transfer from Arizona State. Pearsall will have to get used to a new quarterback, though, as Anthony Richardson was a top pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Enter Graham Mertz, a transfer from Wisconsin who tossed 19 touchdowns last season but was inconsistent overall during his time at Wisconsin. Pearsall operated as a big-play threat for the Gators last season after being more of a possession receiver at Arizona State. Pearsall averaged 20 yards per grab in 2022, which was first in the conference amongst qualified receivers. The aforementioned Shorter was second in that category, so even more field should be open for Pearsall this year, assuming Mertz can deliver him the ball. Pearsall is the only returning receiver from last season with more than 10 catches as a member of the Gators following the transfers of Xzavier Henderson and Daejon Reynolds.