The Florida Gators enter the 2021 college football season in need of replacing their pass-catchers. The departure of top players such as Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney, and Trevon Grimes to the NFL Draft has Gators’ fans worried about this year’s offensive production. Check out the depth chart for the Florida Gators’ wide receivers as the 2021 season approaches.
Gators’ Wide Receivers for 2021
Jacob Copeland is the only returning starter at wide receiver for the Gators, and he should be a viable deep threat this season. Trent Whittemore, Justin Shorter, and Xzavier Henderson are likely to start on the outside for Florida as well. While the Gators lack depth at the wide receiver position this season, these four players can break out this year and make a name for themselves:
The Star
Jacob Copeland enters the year as the top receiver for the Gators. Last season, Copeland finished with 435 yards and three touchdowns, and he did this as the fourth pass-catching option. Copeland was a top receiver in the 2018 recruiting class, and he should be one of the best receivers in the FBS come this Fall.
Other Receiving Threats
Xzavier Henderson is a sophomore who played the most offensive snaps among true freshmen for the Gators last year. While he played on the outside this past season, he will most likely start in the slot to replace Grimes. Henderson’s build at 6’3″ and 180 pounds should make him a primary threat for Emory Jones.
Justin Shorter was the best receiver coming out of the 2018 recruiting class. Shorter transferred from Penn State to Florida in 2020, and he recorded three touchdowns alike Copeland last season. Shorter is a freak athlete standing at 6’4″ and nearly 230 pounds, so he will likely be placed on the outside to make 1-on-1 plays for the Gators.
The Underdog
Trent Whittemore only played in seven games last season, but he is expected to have a bigger role in the offense this year. His build is similar to that of Henderson, but he wasn’t a highly-rated recruit like the other wide receivers. Expect him to make crucial plays in passing situations whenever he steps on the field.
Concluding Thoughts
The Florida Gators head into next season needing to reshape their offense after the loss of several key players. For the Gators to have a prolific offense, the wide receivers are the most crucial part to lengthen the field as deep threats. If these receivers can get high production this year, the Gators’ offense will be in for a big season yet again with Jones at the helm.