The Florida Gators rank 18th in the country in returning production and 4th in the SEC, according to a recent ESPN article. Florida’s offense in particular returns the 36th most production in all of college football, largely thanks to the offensive line. Four of Florida’s five starting offensive lineman opted to return to Gainesville in 2025, three of which were NFL Draft eligible. The Gators were able to hold on to their NFL talents in Austin Barber and Jake Slaughter for their 5th and final season.
My biggest takeaway from recent college football playoff success stories is dominant offensive line play. While great quarterback play, explosive wide receivers, and dynamic running backs are important, it all starts in the trenches. With Florida returning 5,390 career snaps from their four returning starters alone, the Gators could be in position to have the best offensive line they’ve had under Billy Napier.
While most of the offensive line positions are seemingly filled, there are still questions that need to be answered during spring camp. Most importantly, who’s going to start at right tackle for the Gators in 2025? They haven’t addressed the need through the portal, which means they’ll likely rely on the development of younger talent, unless they add someone during the spring transfer portal window. Florida can also use spring camp to identify the first group of reserves as depth is crucial in the SEC. You want at least eight offensive lineman you are comfortable starting on any given Saturday.
Gator Country provides you our offensive line preview ahead of spring camp.
C Jake Slaughter (R-Sr.)
Florida’s All-American center Jake Slaughter is the rock of the unit entering the 2025 season. Slaughter’s pass blocking grade of 84.2 and run blocking grade of 80.2 were the highest on the Gators amongst players with 75+ snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Slaughter graded as the 6th best center in all of college football last season, ranking in the top 15 in both run and pass block. The 6’4.5, 308-pound offensive lineman allowed just one sack and nine pressures across 402 pass protection snaps in 2024. Slaughter enters the 2025 season as one of the best returning offensive lineman in college football.
OT Austin Barber (R-Sr.)
After breaking onto the scene in 2022 and earning a Freshman All-SEC selection, Austin Barber battled injuries in 2023 which limited his production. A healthier Barber allowed just two sacks last season compared to five in 2023 while allowing a career low 13 pressures. The 6’6, 314 offensive lineman will look for his best year yet in his 5th and final season of college football. Barber is expected to start at left tackle for the Gators.
OG Knijeah Harris (Jr.)
Knijeah Harris broke onto the scene early in Gainesville as a guy that was considered collegiate ready as a true freshman. Harris logged 171 snaps during his impressive rookie campaign before taking over Florida’s starting left guard role in 2024. Harris’ run block grade of 72.4 is considered above average, but the sophomore struggled in pass block, allowing a team high 17 pressures at the guard position. With another full offseason under his belt, Harris will look to take the next step as a pass blocker under Rob Sale and Jon Decoster’s guidance.
OG Damieon George Jr. (R-Sr.)
After a failed experiment at right tackle, the Gators moved Damieon George Jr. to right guard where he found his most productive season at the collegiate level. George Jr. posted a run blocking grade of 72.4 and a pass block grade of 75.9, both of which ranked second amongst Florida guards with more than 75 snaps on the 2024 season. The 6’6, 345-pound offensive lineman seemed much more comfortable in pass protection, allowing no sacks and just five pressures, the lowest amount among Gator offensive lineman with 60+ snaps. If George can get quicker on his feet during the offseason and summer workout programs, he has the strength to take his game to the next level.
OT / OG Bryce Lovett (R-So.)
Bryce Lovett is my current favorite to win the starting right tackle position ahead of the 2025 season. After a strong offseason, Lovett found a significant role as a reserve offensive lineman in 2024, logging 362 snaps including three starts. With Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson out for Florida’s bowl game against Tulane, Lovett got the start at right tackle, a position he had yet to log a snap at. Lovett performed admirably, posting a PFF grade of 79.4, the highest among Gators offensive lineman with 15+ snaps vs the Green Wave. He allowed just one pressure across 39 pass blocking snaps. Florida likes the 6’5, 317-pound offensive lineman because of his versatility. Lovett can play all five positions across the offensive line and logged snaps at every position but center in 2024. Even if Lovett doesn’t win the starting role, his position flexibility provides Florida will great depth across the board.
C / OG Roderick Kearney (R-So.)
Billy Napier has raved about the progress Roderick Kearney has made since stepping foot in Gainesville in 2023, but we’ve only seen 74 career snaps from him. The analytics loved Kearney’s play last season, albeit a very small sample size. Kearney posted a pass blocking grade of 85.3, the highest on the Gators. Kearney didn’t allow a single pressure in 30 pass blocking snaps. His run blocking grade of 79.0 ranked second on the Gators, trailing only All-American center Jake Slaughter. The 6’4, 305-pound offensive lineman can play all three interior positions and could serve as one of the primary backups left guard, center, and right guard.
OT Devon Manuel (R-Sr.)
After finding 58 snaps at left tackle through Florida’s first four games, Manuel suffered an injury that kept him off the field for a remainder of the season. While Manuel and Barber were seemingly in a position battle at left tackle to start the season, it’s fair to assume Barber has that role entering 2025. With right tackle still up for grabs, Manuel will look to compete for a starting role. The 6’7, 319 pound tackle posted a pass blocking grade of 82.9, the third highest on UF. Manuel allowed one pressure in 28 pass blocking snaps.
OT / OG Kam Waites (R-Sr.)
Waites appeared in all 13 games last season including two starts, logging snaps at left guard, right guard, and right tackle. Waites posted a solid run blocking grade of 77.7 but held team low 60.1 pass blocking grade. It’s unclear where Waites fits in on this offensive line as they’ve tried him at a number of positions, and nothing seems to stick.
OT Caden Jones (R-So.)
After redshirting in 2023, Caden Jones appeared in four games last season, logging 28 offensive snaps with an offense grade of 75.2 and a run block grade of 73.2 according to PFF. Florida’s staff believes Jones has a bright future and could work his way into a starting caliber offensive tackle at some point. An injury sidelined Jones for all of 2023, so last season was essentially his first year on the football field.
OT Flecther Westphal (R-Fr.)
Westphal enters his second season at UF after playing in four games and tallying 29 offensive snaps last year. It will be difficult for Westphal and Jones to make a run at significant playing time in 2025 with much more experienced players ahead of them.
OG / C Jason Zandamela (R-Fr.)
Jason Zandamela did not appear in a game last season after transferring from USC in the spring semester. Zandamela was ranked as the top offensive guard in the county at the high school ranks, according to 247Sports. With Rod Kearney and Kam Waites in the mix at guard, Zandamela projects as a reserve offensive lineman.
OTHERS IN THE ROOM
OG Noel Portnjagin (R-Fr.), OG Marcus Mascoll (R-Fr.), OT, Enoch Wagnoy (R-Fr.)
Freshman additions
OL Tavaris Dice, OT Jahari Medlock, OG Daniel Pierre Louis
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
LT: Austin Barber, Flecther Westphal OR Caden Jones
LG: Knijeah Harris, Rod Kearney OR Kam Waites, Noel Portnjagin
C: Jake Slaughter, Rod Kearney, Jason Zandamela
RG: Damieon George, Rod Kearney OR Kam Waites
RT: Bryce Lovett, Devon Manuel, Tavaris Dice