Florida football: 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2023
![Florida Gators wide receiver Xzavier Henderson (3) celebrates a touchdown with Florida Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Eastern Washington Eagles](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F578d93e991d292b7517db652da5fd3d65d58b687ffc9ac842215bd87ca991237.jpg "Florida Gators wide receiver Xzavier Henderson (3) celebrates a touchdown with Florida Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, October 2, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Eastern Washington Eagles")
![Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Javon Bullard (22) stops Florida Gators wide receiver Xzavier Henderson (3) as Florida takes on Georgia during first half action at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 29, 2022. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Georgia](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F88ca89654021fc330c1f4f8d01171675a63b5ce243196c9058080d954891992e.jpg "Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Javon Bullard (22) stops Florida Gators wide receiver Xzavier Henderson (3) as Florida takes on Georgia during first half action at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 29, 2022. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Georgia")
I know it might be a little weird picking a fourth-year player as a breakout candidate, but I have high hopes for Xzavier Henderson being the potential WR1 for this team.
Yes, I know, Ricky Pearsall is coming back as the team’s top receiver from last season, but with Justin Shorter gone, there will be more targets to spread around. I just believe that Graham Mertz and Henderson are going to develop a solid connection this spring and heading into the season that will be tough to match with any other receiver. Mertz is a veteran quarterback and he’s going to rely heavily on the veteran receiver.
Henderson finished third on the team in receiving last season, catching 38 passes for 410 yards and two touchdowns. He played well in 11 games but I honestly don’t even think he’s scratched the surface yet.
Is he capable of a 1,000-yard season? I think so, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to get one this season. He is going to put up career-highs in every category, however.
I have a lot of faith in Henderson.
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