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Gators’ standout WR trio aims to shine vs. Georgia after injury setbacks
- Story by
- Gators’ standout WR trio aims to shine vs. Georgia after injury setbacks
GAINESVILLE — Eric Singleton Jr. offered a peek of what Florida's receiving corps could look like at full strength last weekend in the Gators' upset of Texas .
The senior wideout and his two main sidekicks plan to provide a much fuller picture when the No. 17 Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) square off with No. 3 Georgia (6-1, 4-1) Saturday in Atlanta.
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Teammates, coaches and fans are eager to see Singleton, Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III in action at the same time.
Star tailback Jadan Baugh envisions the possibilities, even against one of the nation's top defenses.
"Six, two, three, any of those guys," he said, listing off the numbers of Wilson, Singleton and Brown. "I don't too much see anybody guarding them. When they're all on the field at one time, it's very dangerous and electric."
No Gator might be as explosive as the 5-foot-10, 184-pound Singleton.
A former state 6A champion in the 100 and 400 out of Atlanta, Singleton showcased his exceptional speed for the first time during Florida's 27-24 win in Austin , a promising sign for a receiving group that has struggled to stay healthy.
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"That's just a little glimpse right there," he said Tuesday.
Singleton, Wilson and Brown have shared the field for just five snaps on one series that culminated with Brown's 49-yard touchdown during the season opener against FAU.
Singleton suffered a high ankle sprain while blocking on the play, sidelining him for two games — and for the first time, he said, since the 21-year-old began playing football at age 6.
"This is my first time ever being injured," he said. "So it was tough on me mentally at the beginning."
Even though he was far less than 100%, Singleton returned in the second half against Ole Miss and caught a 38-yard pass after Brown injured his knee earlier in Florida's 52-28 victory .
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"I just couldn't keep watching my guys go out there having so much fun without me," Singleton said. "I just had to go out there and make a play."
After missing three games, Brown finally is on track to get back to his playmaking ways. He had scored four touchdowns and led Florida in receiving at the time of his injury.
Meanwhile, Wilson will make his eighth consecutive start, a season after his promising freshman season started late and ended early, with a lingering foot injury sidelining him for good — after just four games — during the Gators' loss to Georgia.
Following an offseason spent getting back to full strength and being fitted for new footwear, Wilson leads the Gators with 29 catches for 403 yards and three touchdowns.
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Singleton is eager to see the trio's tantalizing potential become reality back in his hometown against the Gators' archrivals.
"Very excited," he said. "We haven't had too many plays together, so just having each other's energy to feed off of on the field, it's going to be great."
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next
No. 17 UF (5–3, 3-2) vs. No. 3 Georgia (6-1, 4-1)
When:3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where:Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TV:ABC
Favorite:Georgia by 11.5 points
