What Does Ricky Pearsall Bring to the Gators?

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On Saturday, the Gators got some good news, as Arizona St transfer Ricky Pearsall announced that he’d be coming to Gainesville to play ball next season.

Pearsall will add some great depth and experience to a receiver room that has a few question marks coming into the season. Last year in Tempe he hauled in 48 catches for 580 yards and 4 touchdowns. He had an average of 12.1 yards a catch, establishing his ability to pick up chunks of yards.

Gator fans should be excited to see how Pearsall is able to bust plays open and extend the field. His speed is legit, and he has no issues running by defenders in the secondary.

Ricky’s ability to extend plays makes him a great fit in the Florida offense. The Gators already had taller guys who can go over the top and make contested catches, in Justin Shorter (6’5”), Marcus Burke (6’4”), and Ja’Quavion Fraziers (6’3”). Pearsall, at 6’1”-200 pounds, can be that versatile guy who can sneak around the defense and make plays.

Make no mistake, Pearsall can still be an elite vertical threat even though he doesn’t have the height of the other guys in the receiver room. His speed and route running allows him to carve up the defense and explode past safeties.

He also has great ball skills, and isn’t afraid to go up and grab it over a defender.

A professional comparison to Pearsall in my opinion is Cooper Kupp. Now I understand it’s a little aggressive to compare anyone to one of, if not the best receiver in the NFL, but they have very similar play styles. Elite route running, similar size, reliable hands. They’re very similar to each other when you watch them play, and as Pearsall’s route running develops even further, this comp will be even clearer.

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