Florida Football: Four Gators Named to All-SEC Freshman Team

The SEC announced its All-SEC Freshman Team on Thursday and four Gators made the cut after their first season of collegiate football. Wide receiver Eugene Wilson, edge defenders Kelby Collins and TJ Searcy, and safety Jordan Castell all earned the honor.

Florida has more players on the freshman team (4) than any other program in the conference. It is the first time since 2012 that four Gator freshmen made the cut made the cut.

Wilson was definitely expected to earn the honors after an extremely impressive true freshman season that saw a display of dynamic play-making ability similar to that of Kadarius Toney.

He finished the year with 61 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns, good enough for second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. The Tampa (Fla.) native led the team with 6.1 receptions per game. He also proved to be effective in the run game, adding an additional 55 yards on the ground.

Expect Wilson to be the focal point of Florida's passing offense next season after putting up an impressive first season in Orange & Blue.

Jordan Castell burst onto the scene in spring ball and never looked back. He ended up leading the team in total tackles (60) and solo tackles (30). Castell also added 1.5 tackles for a loss, three pass breakups and an interception.

The Orlando (Fla.) native was named the SEC Freshman of the Week and Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week after the Gators knocked off No. 11 Tennessee early in the season.

While his pass defense was sharp, his run defense was potentially even better. He was Florida's highest rated run defender, according to Pro Football Focus.

Searcy was another freshman who turned heads ahead of the season opener and quickly rose up the defensive depth chart. He played in all 12 games as a key-reserve along the defensive line. The former four-star finished with 26 tackles (nine solo), 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

Collins had a similar role to Searcy, adding even more depth up front. He also played in all 12 games with his best stretch coming late in the year. Between the Arkansas and LSU games, Collins made 11 total tackles and picked up a sack. He picked up 23 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass defense and a forced fumble.

Despite a tough stretch for Florida, there is a lot of young talent to be pleased with after year two of the Billy Napier era.