Ricky Pearsall’s College Stats: How an Underrated Recruit Turned Into Athletic NFL Prospect

Watching an underrated recruit turn into an NFL prospect might be one of the best feelings in college football. Ricky Pearsall went from a relatively unknown three-star recruit to the NFL in no time.

While his career college stats don’t tell the full picture of his impact, the Florida Gators WR’s final season showing provides a glimpse into Pearsall’s future NFL potential.

Ricky Pearsall’s Freshman Year

Pearsall was a three-star receiver from Tempe, Arizona who committed to the Arizona State Sun Devils out of high school. He held just seven FBS offers, with his only Power Five offer coming from the hometown team. While he didn’t see the field much, he did produce a handful of explosive plays.

Receptions: 7
Receiving Yards: 128
Yards Per Catch: 18.3
Receiving TDs: 0
Rush Attempts: 1
Rush Yards: 1
Yards Per Carry: 1
Rush TDs: 0

Pearsall Limited Due to Global Pandemic Disruption

A strange 2020 college football season saw the Sun Devils play in just four games that year. Again, Pearsall didn’t put up big numbers but still managed to make some big plays on just six catches.

The year left a weird feeling in the fanbase. It felt like they were robbed from watching a team averaging 40.2 points per game, but they also missed out on a receiver with tremendous upside. Fortunately, Pearsall returned to work to ensure that his 2021 season would give everyone what they wanted.

Receptions: 6
Receiving Yards: 86
Yards Per Catch: 14.3
Receiving TDs: 1
Rush Attempts: 3
Rush Yards: 33
Yards Per Carry: 11.0
Rush TDs: 1

A Breakout Season for Pearsall and ASU

It became inevitable that Pearsall would be a focal point in the offense. His first two seasons showed that on film, and he finally got his shot in 2021. The Sun Devils finished 8-5 that year, and Pearsall played an integral role in their success.

Former quarterback Jayden Daniels relied on Pearsall and running back Rachaad White plenty that year, and Pearsall led the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns in 2021. Despite a winning season, the Sun Devils roster took some hits in the offseason.

After the season, the star wide receiver was among an exodus of players, entering his name into the transfer portal.

Receptions: 48
Receiving Yards: 580
Yards Per Catch: 12.1
Receiving TDs: 4
Rush Attempts: 6
Rush Yards: 44
Yards Per Carry: 7.3
Rush TDs: 1

A Fresh Start in Gainesville

Pearsall received plenty of attention in the transfer portal but ultimately landed with the Gators. His new team featured a talented, athletic, and strong-armed quarterback in Anthony Richardson, which helped their case tremendously.

Those unfamiliar with Pearsall’s athleticism were quickly introduced to his potent playmaking potential.

Against Charlotte, Pearsall made one of the craziest catches in football history, a one-handed catch between three defenders. It brought NFL attention to his game, but he decided to stick around for one more year in the Gators’ offense before going pro.

Receptions: 33
Receiving Yards: 661
Yards Per Catch: 20.0
Receiving TDs: 5
Rush Attempts: 8
Rush Yards: 113
Yards Per Carry: 14.1
Rush TDs: 1

Pearsall Grows Draft Stock in 2023

Another new quarterback presented a challenge for Pearsall and left Gators fans wondering what this group would look like in 2023. Wisconsin Badgers QB Graham Mertz arrived, and Florida tried to get more people involved in the offense.

KEEP READING: Florida Gators’ Top 10 Returning Players in 2024

While freshman Trey Wilson emerged, the senior from Tempe led the way. Pearsall nearly broke 1,000 yards on the season, and the most productive season of his college football career helped elevate his draft stock heading into the offseason.

Receptions: 65
Receiving Yards: 965
Yards Per Catch: 14.8
Receiving TDs: 4
Rush Attempts: 3
Rush Yards: 62
Yards Per Carry: 20.7
Rush TDs: 2

Ricky Pearsall’s Final College Stats

Receptions: 159
Receiving Yards: 2,420
Yards Per Catch: 15.2
Receiving TDs: 14
Rush Attempts: 21
Rush Yards: 253
Yards Per Carry: 12.0
Rush TDs: 5

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