Florida’s wide receivers are considered a strength heading into the 2026 campaign. We have covered at length the trio of Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson, and Eric Singleton Jr. We’ve also highlighted how the 2nd unit for the Gators could be good enough to start at some other Power Four programs.
So at first glance, it was a surprise that no Florida wide receivers were included in the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List. After digging further, it makes sense why none were included, and it isn’t a reason for Gator fans to panic.
No Florida receivers included in the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
Based on what we could tell from the 44 players who were included on this list, all the wide receivers had at least 700 yards in 2025. There are a couple of tight ends on the list, as the award is designated for “Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award.” Still, they were all over 500 yards.
This is where a mix of injuries and bad schemes prevented any of Florida’s big three from getting on the list. Brown had an AC joint shoulder sprain in 2025 that kept him out for some time, and he finished the year with 512 yards. Wilson had the monster game against Texas, but injuries also derailed his efforts for a true freshman campaign. Singleton, meanwhile, was relegated to Auburn’s offense and had 534 yards after back-to-back years over 700 while at Georgia Tech.
As this list was constructed, a handful of players put up 700-yard seasons with their respective Group of Five teams and have since transferred to a Power Four squad. With history as a guide, those transfers often don’t put up the same numbers once they step up in competition.
Florida’s wide receiver group has appeared in the top ten of various wide receiver unit rankings. However, the irony is that this could be a legit top-five group and still not have a finalist for this award because it's built more as a strength-by-numbers unit than one true star. There is also the reality that Florida is probably going to lean heavily on Jadan Baugh, which would limit their ability to stat-pad.
So it’s annoying not to get a receiver recognized, considering how much we pumped them up all offseason. But it is not something fans need to be worried about.
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