Eugene Wilson III, Jamari Lyons and Aaron Gates were all listed in the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year preseason watch list.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 2025 Comeback Player of the Year Award names redshirt sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, redshirt junior defensive lineman Jamari Lyons and redshirt sophomore defensive back Aaron Gates as members of its preseason watch list.
Since 2018, the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list is made up 75 student-athletes who overcame an injury, illness or other circumstance in the previous year. Each athlete put in the work needed to get back to full health for the 2025 season to showcase their skills and help their teams compete to their highest potential.
Wilson suffered a season ending hip injury in his second year with the Gators. After a phenomenal freshman campaign, many had high hopes for how he could develop even more into his sophomore year. Although his 2024 season ended up being a short one, Wilson still managed to play in the team’s first four games making 19 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown. His sole touchdown for the season came off a jet toss from DJ Lagway for 85-yards against Samford.
Over a year ago, Lyons suffered a season ending injury prior to the 2024 season even starting. Lyons was expected to play a significant role in the 2024 season after having 20 tackles (10 solo) and 2.5 tackles for loss in 2023. However, in the first scrimmage of the 2024 fall camp, Lyons broke his ankle which required two surgeries and a lot of physical therapy to get back to full health.
Gates earned a spot on the Comeback Player of the Year watch list after suffering a torn ACL in the team’s game against Ole Miss on Nov. 23, 2024. While Gates only missed the team’s final two games against Florida State to close out the regular season and Tulane at the Gasparilla Bowl, he was still a major piece of the defense in the team’s STAR position where he received five starts in the nine games he played. Gates finished fifth on the team in tackles-for-loss with a 4.0 and logged a total of 27 tackles, 14 of which were solo tackles. Gates was also credited for an interception, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a quarterback hurry.
The Comeback Player of the Year Award honors three of the athletes who were named to the watch list as winners of the award. The three winners are chosen by a panel of Associated Press college football writers and sports information directors. Click here for more information about the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
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