College football often delivers some awesome moments and jaw-dropping catches that leave fans feeling like they just watched the best play of the season.
Well, Florida’s Ricky Pearsall may have actually delivered the best catch of the 2023 season, and it’s going to be hard to top.
Midway through the first quarter of the Gators’ home matchup against Charlotte on Saturday, quarterback Graham Mertz took a shot downfield in Pearsall’s direction, but the ball looked overthrown. Clearly, though, that wasn’t going to stop Pearsall.
The senior wide receiver leaped into the air and miraculously pulled the ball down with one hand before getting absolutely drilled by two 49ers defenders. WHAT A CATCH.
It’s not at all an exaggeration to call this one of the best plays of the season so far.
OH MY!!!! WHAT A CATCH @S1ickSzn 😳
💻 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/4zzupSxOfJ
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 23, 2023
It was a 25-yard pickup for the Gators. But seriously, HOW?!?!
And look at this incredible photo:
Looks familiar @Jumpman23 🔥 https://t.co/GPiH6OFOHL pic.twitter.com/fZ74i1Hzue
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 23, 2023
That drive ended in a field goal for Florida, but Pearsall’s unbelievable grab is definitely a season highlight.
And college football fans were in awe...
The audacity to try catching this one-handed AND BACK-HANDED alone is insane, but then hanging on with one hand while getting annihilated??? https://t.co/Owz9whhxpN
— Andy Hutchins (@AndyHutchins) September 23, 2023
YOOOOOOOOOOOOO https://t.co/9WxUZlfdUl
— Paige (@ThatSportsPaige) September 23, 2023
Ricky Pearsall is a baaaaaaaaad man https://t.co/88PfJJz4ze
— Ryan (@Ryanmcc_9) September 23, 2023
Need an astrophysicist to explain to me in great detail how he was able to catch the ball like that, absorb contact and still hold onto it. https://t.co/4g2s1uNNH7
— Rob Slater (@RobSlater10) September 23, 2023
This is easily the best catch of the 2023 football season so far. This may be the greatest catch I've ever seen, college or pros. https://t.co/JlFBuofFaE
— Sean Doty (@Intimigator18) September 23, 2023
Catch of the year. Maybe of the last several. https://t.co/tznhjnIA2A
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) September 23, 2023
This legitimately might be the greatest catch I’ve ever seen https://t.co/uTwXLAQvut
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) September 23, 2023
Ricky Flair Pearsall! Stylin and profilin https://t.co/3N7u73qho1
— Henry Ramos (@RamosGator) September 23, 2023
Unreal he held onto that lol https://t.co/MoepEDYthh
— Davy Phockett (@DavyPhockett) September 23, 2023
PRETTY RICKY PEARSALL MY GOD! https://t.co/xkqA5WWcjp
— Santino (@BetWithSantino) September 23, 2023
One of the most ridiculous catches I have ever seen 👀👀 https://t.co/yhli0GwnHz
— Jamison Betz (@JamisonB56) September 23, 2023
Just bananas https://t.co/qbe0vsSAXY pic.twitter.com/qAEBCRSllz
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 23, 2023
The skill here is amazing enough but the sheer onions to make this catch knowing two defenders were about to take his head off is next level. https://t.co/Jk4ZpPr2U1
— Dustin (@dustinjkent) September 23, 2023
Oh my! 😮😮😳 https://t.co/VvinmhKY3h
— Big Poppi ⚡ (@limabean9412) September 23, 2023
https://t.co/wsJRyMNifO pic.twitter.com/Dmso7kLpvC
— Katy (@KTGator87) September 23, 2023
First off that’s an absurd catch then he took a hit right after. One of best catches I’ve ever seen. #Gators https://t.co/NE8yPxTtP4
— Brett Adams (@badamsufl) September 23, 2023
Bill Belichick just drafted him.
If you know, you know. https://t.co/r7pFrawfYN
— Outside DiBirds (@OutsideDiBirds) September 23, 2023
That is absolute filth. Maybe the best catch I have ever seen. https://t.co/A090IfbK1A
— Braden Shamo (@BradenShamo) September 23, 2023
I’m not exaggerating when I say that might be the greatest catch I’ve ever seen a Florida Gator make https://t.co/XAUHOAV5tq
— B (@__TreyOcho38) September 23, 2023
Ricky Odell Persall Beckham Jr . 😤💪🏾 https://t.co/f6ufYWU5UN
— Chano 💫 (@PujolsCorey) September 23, 2023