Tag: Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week

Florida’s talented playmaker named Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week

Tre Wilson became the second Gator to earn the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week award this season.

Amidst all of the bad news that followed Florida’s Week 10 home defeat at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks, there was a silver lining when it came time to hand out national weekly honors.

True freshman wide receiver [autotag]Eugene Willson III[/autotag] — whose talent far exceeds just that one position — was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week after his strong performance against the Hogs despite the losing effort. The Tampa native hauled in a game-high eight receptions for 90 yards along with a pair of touchdowns in yet another fabulous showing for the budding star.

“He’s a tremendous player. He’s a really gifted player,” wide receiver Ricky Pearsall said of Wilson following Saturday’s loss. “I also have faith in everybody in the receiving room, so I think anybody in the receiving room can step up and make those big-time plays, but to highlight him, he’s doing a really good job, so shout-out to him.”

Wilson is the second Gator to earn the distinction this season following fellow true freshman safety Jordan Castell out of Winter Garden, Florida, who took home the hardware after the Gators beat the Tennessee Volunteers in Week 3.

Next up for Wilson and the Gators are the LSU Tigers, who host Florida in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Nov. 11, inside Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on the SEC Network.

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Gators safety named Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week

The Florida Gators have a few impact true freshmen on the roster, but it’s safety Jordan Castell who is receiving some national recognition following the Tennessee game.

The Maxwell Football Club named first-year Florida safety [autotag]Jordan Castell[/autotag] the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week on Tuesday.

Castell earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors on Monday, but this award covers all conferences. He recorded 10 tackles and one pass breakup in the third quarter. Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton took a shot deep from his own 31-yard line, but Castell was there.

Pro Football Focus graded Castell the highest among all Florida defenders during Week 3. He earned an 82.7 rating on defense — 79.0 as a run defender, 75.4 in tackling and 82.6 in pass coverage.

He played a team-high 66 snaps and allowed just one catch on four targets.

Castell didn’t make the Freshman of the Year Watch List in the preseason, but he could be added to it by midseason. The only Gator to make that list is Eugene “Tre” Wilson III, who has been equally effective on offense but could be out for a few weeks with an injury.

Head coach Billy Napier praised Castell for his poise as a first-year player on Monday.

“This kid has been through some things. He’s got some maturity,” Napier said. “He’s had to grow up. I think I really knew he could be special when I went to his school. You see him interact with teachers and administrators. He was a leader, just a guy who had a lot of presence about him.

“He showed up in January and has been about his business, and ultimately he’s playing well as a rookie for us.”

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