Florida · SECFlorida Places Dallas Wilson and Ben Hanks on Freshman Award Watch List
The redshirt freshmen enter 2026 with limited college experience but clear opportunities. Wilson is positioned for a larger role after Eugene Wilson's departure, while Hanks is projected to start in a reshaped Florida secondary.
AUG 26, 2026
Wilson receptions in 2025
Wilson touchdowns in 2025
Hanks tackles in 2025
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Maxwell Football announced Wednesday that Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson and cornerback Ben Hanks III made the 2026 Shaun Alexander Freshmen Player of the Year Watch List. Both players were redshirt freshmen after limited action in 2025. Wilson, a Tampa native, played in four games and caught 12 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. His best outing came against Texas, when he made six catches for 111 yards and two scores. Hanks, from Miami, appeared in three games and recorded eight tackles. Against Florida State, he broke up two passes and intercepted another. Wilson was the No. 8 wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting composite, while Hanks was the No. 8 cornerback.
02 · The StakesWhy This One Matters
Wilson's opportunity grew when Eugene Wilson left Florida this offseason. The Gators also added former Auburn receiver Eric Singleton Jr., leaving Dallas Wilson competing for a larger place alongside Singleton and Vernell Brown III. His production against Texas gives the staff evidence to work with, but four games is still a small college sample. Hanks enters a secondary that lost multiple starters, including Devin Moore. Florida is projected to pair him with junior Cormani McClain at cornerback. That would turn a promising three-game freshman season into a starting assignment against SEC offenses.
“It does not settle what Florida has yet to see from either player.”
The Wire Desk03 · The PersonnelWhere This Leaves the Roster
The watch list puts names to two of Florida's most visible young-player opportunities. Wilson must move from a limited role into the receiver rotation after the departure of Eugene Wilson, with Singleton and Brown III also part of the group. Hanks is projected to take over a starting cornerback job after Florida lost several defensive backs from last season. Neither projection is a confirmed depth chart decision. The next roster update will show whether the staff's public expectations match the daily competition. For now, Wilson has demonstrated big-play production in a short appearance window, and Hanks has one late-season game that gives his projection some evidence.
04 · Honest ScaleWhat Happens Next
Florida has good reason to put both players on the watch list. Wilson produced immediately in limited chances, and Hanks made a notable play against Florida State. The roster also gives each player a path to more responsibility, with a receiver opening after Eugene Wilson's departure and a cornerback opening after multiple starters left. The limitation is the same for both: neither has handled a full season of college snaps. Wilson's 2025 flashes must become regular receiver work, and Hanks must turn a small sample into dependable starting play. The recognition fits the opportunity. It does not settle what Florida has yet to see from either player.
05 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Florida's first depth chart
The first published depth chart should show whether Wilson is listed in the regular receiver rotation and whether Hanks is paired with Cormani McClain at cornerback.
Dallas Wilson's role
Florida's early personnel groupings will show whether Wilson has moved beyond the limited role he held during his four appearances in 2025.
Ben Hanks' starting assignment
Practice reports and the opening lineup should establish whether Hanks receives the projected starting job after playing three games as a freshman.