In true Moneyball style, the Florida Gators needed to find a way to fill the gap left by star receiver Eugene “Tre” Wilson III, and they accomplished this by utilizing a duo of players instead of relying on just one. In their SEC clash with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Gators were missing Wilson III for the second consecutive week. However, receivers Marcus Burke and Aidan Mizell rose to the occasion, contributing significantly to the team’s victory.
Marcus Burke
Starting with Marcus Burke, the Jacksonville native had his best game of the season on Saturday in Starkville. He recorded four catches for a team-high 45 yards and scored a touchdown. His standout moment came in the second quarter when he executed a stop-and-go route, leading to a 20-yard touchdown, marking both his first catch of the season and the first touchdown of his career.
Burke’s performance in the Gators’ victory earned him the top spot in Pro Football Focus (PFF) ratings among the team’s offensive players. With a grade of 82.7, he ranked highest among those who played 10 or more offensive snaps. This level of play suggests that Burke could effectively fill Wilson’s role, even if they don’t play the same position.
Highest graded offensive players per PFF (10 snap minimum)
1. WR Marcus Burke: 82.7
2. OL Bryce Lovett: 80.7
3. QB Graham Mertz: 80.7
4. WR Aidan Mizell: 78.6
5. OL Devon Manuel: 77.6— Nick Marcinko (@marcinko_nick) September 22, 2024
However, according to head coach Billy Napier, the key for Burke is now consistency.
“Burke’s a talented player, but I want him to do it every day,” Napier said. “He’s clearly capable of making plays, but he needs to show more consistency throughout the week to earn a bigger role on the team. He stepped up today, and I hope he can maintain that level of performance going forward.”
If inconsistency has been a challenge, this could be a pivotal moment for Burke, offering a glimpse of what the future might hold for the redshirt junior.
Aidan Mizell
Aidan Mizell had the best game of his Gator career against the Bulldogs in Week Four, catching five passes for 36 yards. However, his total could have been significantly higher if not for a questionable penalty on Montrell Johnson Jr. for a blindside block that nullified a potential touchdown for Mizell.
In the third quarter, quarterback Graham Mertz connected with Mizell on a five-yard curl route. Mizell evaded nearly every Bulldog defender and used his speed to turn it into what should have been a 65-yard touchdown.
This is one of the greatest plays ever to not count. Mizell is a DOG 🐊 pic.twitter.com/IRTuhbt3Qp
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) September 21, 2024
Mizell finished among the top five offensive players with a PFF grade of 78.6, just behind Burke. It seems head coach Billy Napier anticipated a strong performance from the young receiver.
“I told Aidan pregame I thought it was going to be a great day for him,” Napier said. “He did a lot of good things after the catch, and his speed really showed. He’s another young player who’s gaining confidence.”
This standout performance could signal a promising future for Mizell.
“With Tre Wilson out, he was the third guy we highlighted, and he made the most of his chances,” Napier noted. “He has elite track speed at 6-1, and his future looks bright.”
As for the Gators, while they eagerly await Tre Wilson’s return to the field, Burke and Mizell have proven themselves more than capable of stepping up when needed.
