Eugene Wilson’s new landing spot hints his elite ceiling hasn't vanished

Eugene “Tre” Wilson III has found his new home ahead of the 2026 season. The now-former Florida Gators wide receiver has committed to play for Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers for next year’s campaign. 

And while his career stats don’t hint at Florida losing a big-time player, his legacy in Gainesville goes down as one of the great “What if” players from the Billy Napier Era. 

Eugene Wilson III signs with LSU

Wilson III came to town as part of the class of 2023 and was part of a talented trio of wide receivers that included Aidan Mizell and Andy Jean.

All three of those players have since hit the transfer portal.

While Mizell was the higher-rated composite player from the class, it was Wilson III who made the immediate impact. He caught 61 passes for 561 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman, but the narrative that followed him into his sophomore season was whether Napier would expand his role or relegate him to being a gizmo and gadget player who ran 54 jet sweep motions per game.

Even before he got hurt in 2024, the simple answer to that question was no. Against Miami and Samford, Wilson III was stuck with his role, and he was visibly frustrated by it. Injuries knocked him out until he came back against Tennessee and Kentucky, only to get hip surgery and end his season.

His role was largely neutralized again in 2025, but after Napier got fired, Wilson III was unleashed against Georgia, catching nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. It seemed like interim coach Billy Gonzales had a plan to actually like Wilson III run routes.

And then it turned out he needed ankle surgery after the game, and that was that.

Florida does not play LSU in 2026, though Wilson III does still have two years of eligibility remaining.